Southeast Gardens Stewardship Manager

Who We Are :

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org .

Posting Information :

Salary / Hourly Rate : $65,000 - $75,000

Hours per week : 40

Job Classification : Full-Time, exempt

Job Type : Onsite

Location : Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, Governor Oliver Ames Estate, Francis William Bird Park, Moose Hill Farm, Signal Hill

What You’ll Do : Your Impact :

Are you ready to serve as a critical team leader to oversee the management and care of the Trustees’ busy and resource diverse properties in Canton, Sharon, Walpole and Easton? Then this role may be for you!

The Role :

As Stewardship Manager, you’ll be the hands-on leader ensuring that five of our most treasured properties—including a vibrant public garden and a historic house—thrive for the enjoyment of all who visit. You’ll oversee the care and upkeep of landscapes, buildings, trails, roadways, vehicles, and equipment, making sure each site is safe, welcoming, and well-maintained. Leading a dedicated team of full-time and seasonal stewards, you’ll guide day-to-day operations, foster a culture of excellence and teamwork, and ensure that every visitor has a memorable experience.

No two days will be the same—you may start by directing seasonal staff on daily tasks, spend part of the day working with property stakeholders, and finish with administrative work like coding bills and keeping operations running smoothly, all while ensuring the grounds look their best for an upcoming wedding.

Beyond the daily work, you’ll play a key role in monitoring and protecting the land, upholding regulations, and working closely with colleagues and organizational partners to keep these places vibrant and resilient for the future. A big part of your success will come from maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of property stakeholders—such as a preschool operating on-site, advocacy groups like the Friends of Bird Park, event vendors and caterers, and contractors—ensuring that each property’s needs are met while supporting its long-term stewardship.

This position includes on-site employee housing at the Bradley Estate, where the Stewardship Manager will live as part of their role.

Specifically, you’ll :

• Care for every aspect of our properties—landscapes, buildings, trails, roads, vehicles, and equipment—so they remain safe, beautiful, and welcoming for all.
• Identify and prioritize daily and seasonal maintenance needs, scheduling and carrying out both routine work and larger projects that keep our properties thriving.
• Manage and collaborate with outside contractors and vendors when needed, including bidding, hiring, and overseeing their work.
• Lead the year-round care of landscapes, including mowing and lawn care, brush cutting, weeding garden beds, maintaining stone dust pathways, and ensuring safe, accessible roadways and walkways in every season.
• Hire, train, and mentor stewards, seasonal staff, and volunteers, creating a positive, rewarding team culture where people feel proud of their contributions.
• Work side-by-side and effectively collaborate with other Trustees’ resource teams on meaningful projects, from invasive species control and trail restoration to building improvements and landscape design.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders—including community partners, program organizers, event vendors, and neighbors—balancing multiple priorities to support both property needs and community use.
• Ensure an exceptional visitor experience by keeping facilities clean, signage clear, and spaces safe and welcoming, while also supporting signature events like Winterlights and weddings.
• Provide on-call support for weddings every other weekend from mid-May to mid-October.
• Partner with the Facility Steward to monitor and maintain building systems—including fire and security alarms, HVAC units, pellet and oil-fired boilers, and other essential infrastructure—to keep properties operating smoothly and safely.

We provide modest funding to support certifications and offer ongoing internal, skills-based training. We encourage lifelong learners to apply.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours / week) reporting directly to the Senior Regional Stewardship Manager.

Requirements

What You’ll Need :

Skills and Experience :

Eligibility Criteria :

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org

Equal Opportunity and Diversity :

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here :   Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity .

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org .

Benefits

Your Benefits :