Director of Business Administration — Santa Barbara, CA

About Lotusland

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical garden and historic estate located in Montecito, featuring a collection of over 3,000 plant species from around the world alongside historically significant Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Since opening to the public in 1993, it has grown into one of the world's premier botanical gardens and a center for sustainable garden practices, horticultural education, and plant conservation.

Our mission is to preserve and enhance the distinctive botanical gardens and estate of Madame Ganna Walska. Lotusland educates and inspires visitors through its unique collections, sustainable horticulture practices, and plant conservation efforts.

About the Role

The Director of Business Administration serves as a vital member of the senior leadership team, responsible for overseeing the organization's business and financial operations to support Lotusland's long-term sustainability and mission. Working closely with the CEO, external accounting partners, and Board committees, this role coordinates investment management, insurance, and financial analysis while managing the annual audit and compliance programs.

In this position, you will draft and coordinate the annual business plan with department directors, overseeing revenue generation and expense analysis. The role provides strategic oversight for human resources, benefits administration, and staff operations, fostering organizational effectiveness by maintaining sound financial practices and strengthening internal controls. You will act as a liaison to financial institutions and serve as a key interpreter of financial results to the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees.

Work Environment

Lotusland's administrative offices are situated on a historic 2-story estate within a 37-acre garden. The work environment requires the ability to move comfortably around the garden, including occasional work outside. The role involves frequent use of telephones and computers, as well as occasional driving of company electric golf carts. The setting is a blend of historic architecture and lush horticultural landscapes.

Our Culture & Values

Our team is guided by core values that shape our daily interactions and strategic decisions:

Accountability: We take ownership of our commitments and hold ourselves responsible for our actions and decisions.
Teamwork and Collaboration: We recognize that our roles are interdependent and require intentional collaboration to achieve our mission.
Communication: We strive to share information clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner to build trust and foster understanding.
Trust: We cultivate mutual respect and open communication, encouraging employees to share perspectives and take risks to enhance effectiveness.
Integrity: We promote a strong ethic of honesty, fairness, and decency among all individuals and leaders.

Equal Opportunity

Lotusland is an equal opportunity employer. Each employee will be considered based on individual ability and merit, without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or marital status.

Application Instructions

Please note that no recruiters or agency calls will be accepted. Employment is contingent upon a successful background and criminal check.

Work location

Work model: On-site

1313, Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, 93101, United States

Santa Barbara, California

Key Responsibilities

check_circleDevelop and manage the annual operating budget and multi-year forecasts
check_circleProvide financial reporting to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership
check_circleManage the annual audit process and IRS Form 990 preparation
check_circleOversee procurement, contracts, and vendor negotiations
check_circleDirect cash management, banking, and investment oversight
check_circleLead all Human Resources functions including talent acquisition and employee relations
check_circleDevelop internal financial controls, policies, and risk management programs
check_circleSupervise administrative functions and cross-department operational planning

Requirements

verifiedBachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, accounting, finance, or related field
verifiedMinimum of 5 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or nonprofit administration
verifiedKnowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, compliance requirements, and GAAP standards
verifiedEmployment background/criminal check

Nice to Have

Advanced degree. Experience managing nonprofit financial operations, budgeting, and audit processes. Experience supervising administrative or HR-related functions.

Benefits & Perks

check_circleHealth, dental, and vision insurancecheck_circleVoluntary supplemental insurance and life insurancecheck_circleFlexible Spending Accountcheck_circle403(b) and ROTH retirement plans with employer match up to 5% after two yearsPaid vacation and sick leave

Company

Ganna Walska Lotusland

Industry

Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos

Ganna Walska Lotusland operates within the museums, historical sites, and zoos industry, functioning as a 37-acre botanical garden located in Montecito. This unique cultural institution occupies the former estate of Madame Ganna Walska, a celebrated opera diva who dedicated forty-one years, from 1943 until 1984, to developing its enchanting and whimsical gardens. The site features highly diverse plant collections that reflect her vision and artistic legacy. Beyond its historical significance, the organization serves as a repository for globally rare plants and has played a pivotal role in advancing the sustainable horticulture movement throughout Southern California. The grounds are open to the public, offering access to one of the most distinctive garden landscapes globally. Visitors engage with a landscape that combines botanical science, historical preservation, and artistic design, maintaining the integrity of Madame Walska's original work while fostering environmental stewardship.

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Skills, education and keywords

Skills: Budgeting, Audit Processes, Nonprofit Accounting Principles, Gaap Standards, Financial Reporting, Risk Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Compensation And Benefits Administration.

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, accounting, finance, or related field required.

Frequently asked questions about Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland

What does a Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland do?expand_more

Day-to-day, the Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland will develop and manage the annual operating budget and multi-year forecasts; provide financial reporting to the ceo, board, and senior leadership; manage the annual audit process and irs form 990 preparation; and oversee procurement, contracts, and vendor negotiations.

What are the requirements for this Director of Business & Administration role?expand_more

To qualify for the Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland position, applicants should have: Bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, accounting, finance, or related field; Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or nonprofit administration; Knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, compliance requirements, and GAAP standards; and Employment background/criminal check.

Where is the Director of Business & Administration role at Ganna Walska Lotusland located?expand_more

Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland is based in 1313, Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, 93101, United States. This is a on-site role.

Is this Director of Business & Administration job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more

Ganna Walska Lotusland has listed this Director of Business & Administration role as on-site.

How much experience is required for this Director of Business & Administration role?expand_more

Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland typically requires 5+ years of relevant experience at the executive level.

What skills do you need for the Director of Business & Administration role at Ganna Walska Lotusland?expand_more

Key skills for Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland include Budgeting; Audit Processes; Nonprofit Accounting Principles; Gaap Standards; Financial Reporting; Risk Management; Talent Acquisition; and Employee Relations.

What education is required for Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland?expand_more

Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree in business, nonprofit management, accounting, finance, or related field required.

What category does the Director of Business & Administration role belong to?expand_more

Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland is part of the accounting & finance job category on Recrutus.

About Ganna Walska Lotusland

Beyond its historical significance, the organization serves as a repository for globally rare plants and has played a pivotal role in advancing the sustainable horticulture movement throughout Southern California. The grounds are open to the public, offering access to one of the most distinctive garden landscapes globally. Visitors engage with a landscape that combines botanical science, historical preservation, and artistic design, maintaining the integrity of Madame Walska's original work while fostering environmental stewardship.

Browse more roles: All Ganna Walska Lotusland jobs, accounting & finance jobs on Recrutus.

Director of Business & Administration