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. We educate and inspire visitors through our 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, working directly with the CEO to oversee the organization's business and financial operations. This role is essential for supporting Lotusland's long-term sustainability and mission execution.

In this position, you will coordinate investment management, insurance, and financial analysis while managing the annual audit, compliance, and training programs. You will draft the annual business plan in collaboration with department directors and provide strategic oversight for human resources, benefits administration, and staff operations. By maintaining sound financial practices and strengthening internal controls, you will foster collaborative operational processes across all departments, ensuring the organization runs efficiently while staying true to its core values.

Our Culture & Values

At Lotusland, we are guided by five core values that shape our workplace culture:

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 timely to build trust among staff, the board, and the community.
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.

Lotusland is an equal opportunity employer. We consider each employee 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 submit your application through our official website. We kindly request that no recruiters or agency calls be made regarding this position. All candidates will be subject to an employment 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 financial forecasts
check_circleProvide financial reporting to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership teams
check_circleOversee all human resources functions including talent acquisition, employee relations, and benefits administration
check_circleDevelop internal financial controls, policies, procedures, and risk management programs
check_circleTrain department directors on budgeting, reporting, and financial planning processes
check_circleManage the annual audit process, IRS Form 990 preparation, and compliance with nonprofit regulations
check_circleDirect cash management, banking, investment oversight, and vendor negotiations
check_circleSupervise administrative functions and coordinate 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

Skills, education and keywords

Skills: Budgeting, Audit Processes, Gaap Standards, Nonprofit Accounting, Financial Reporting, Risk Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Project Management.

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

In this Director of Business & Administration at Ganna Walska Lotusland role, you will develop and manage the annual operating budget and multi-year financial forecasts; provide financial reporting to the ceo, board, and senior leadership teams; oversee all human resources functions including talent acquisition, employee relations, and benefits administration; and develop internal financial controls, policies, procedures, and risk management programs.

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

Ganna Walska Lotusland is looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: 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; Gaap Standards; Nonprofit Accounting; 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.

Director of Business & Administration