Landscape & Grounds Director
THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Landscape & Grounds Director
The University of Oklahoma is seeking a visionary and accomplished leader to serve as Landscape & Grounds Director, overseeing the care, stewardship, and enhancement of all campus landscapes and grounds across the Norman campus. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for shaping and maintaining one of the university’s most prominent assets — its outdoor environment — ensuring that OU’s campus remains beautiful, safe, sustainable, and welcoming for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is the state’s flagship public research university, located in Norman approximately 20 miles south of Oklahoma City with roughly 3,200 acres, noted for its distinctive Cherokee Gothic architecture and award-winning landscaping. The Norman campus enrolls more than 30,000 students and consistently ranks among the most beautiful campuses in the nation.
The Department of Landscape and Grounds maintains over 3,000 acres of campus lawns and gardens and is organized around core service areas of Gardening, Pest Control, Turf Management and Tree Services. Together, these groups sustain the appearance, health, and function of the campus outdoor environment.
The Director provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for all landscape and grounds services, directing the planning, maintenance, renewal, and long-term development of the university’s extensive outdoor spaces. The position leads and inspires a large and diverse operation responsible for campus landscaping, horticulture, grounds maintenance, irrigation, seasonal displays, and environmental stewardship initiatives; and shapes a positive and productive team culture by building trust, cultivating staff buy-in, encouraging professional growth, and guiding teams through change with a focus on collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Working closely with university leadership and campus partners, the Director establishes landscape standards, manages resources and budgets, oversees design review and project implementation, and develops long-range plans that support the university’s mission and enhance the campus experience. The Director champions innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and customer-focused service while ensuring compliance with safety requirements, university policies, environmental standards, and applicable laws and regulations.
More information about the position can be here.
OU has engaged Opus Partners to support this search. Kenna Boyd, Partner, and Katie Dean, Senior Partner, are leading the search, which will remain confidential until the final stage of campus visits. For additional information, to nominate qualified candidates, or to apply, please contact [email protected]
To be considered candidates must provide a resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application.
The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, gender identity/expression (consistent with applicable law), age (40 or older), religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services.
