General Manager - Davey Institute in Kent

The General Manager of the Davey Institute provides strategic and operational leadership for the Davey Institute under the direction of the Executive Vice President for the Davey Institute and Employee Development. The Davey Institute is the company's industry-pioneering research, science, and technical innovation department. This role directs strategy for scientific research, product development, diagnostics, advanced training, and environmental stewardship programs, positioning the Institute as an industry leader in plant health science and arboriculture.

The General Manager cultivates strategic external partnerships, guides the Institute's financial and operational performance, and serves as a member of Davey's senior leadership team, ensuring the Davey Institute's programs drive scientific excellence, competitive advantage, and environmental leadership across the company and the broader green industry.

Job Duties:

• Determines strategic priorities for the Davey Institute and SEED campus, directing research initiatives, scientific innovation efforts, and program goals that reinforce Davey's position as an industry leader in plant health science and arboriculture.
• Directs the Institute's core programs, including research and development, technical services, diagnostic laboratory, ecosystem services, software innovation, business innovation, product sales, geospatial analysis, environmental programs, and pesticide and fertilizer licensing, ensuring scientific rigor, operational excellence, and enterprise relevance.
• Drives scientific innovation by guiding multidisciplinary research teams to advance discoveries in arboriculture sciences, plant health, pest and disease management, climate science, utility vegetation management, and environmental stewardship.
• Identifies and spearheads strategic business development opportunities across Davey's core service offerings.
• Shapes the Institute's advanced training and technical education strategy, ensuring field operations and clients receive expert tree and soil care, diagnostics, consultation, and instruction grounded in current science.
• Leads strategic financial planning and budget allocation for the Institute, guiding resource investment and spending decisions across programs to support long-term sustainability and scientific leadership.
• Forges lasting partnerships with external research institutions, academic organizations, government agencies, and industry bodies to advance the Institute's scientific mission and expand its influence in arboriculture and environmental science.
• Serves as the Institute's principal spokesperson and ambassador, representing Davey's scientific expertise and environmental stewardship leadership with clients, the green industry, and the public.
• Champions the company's corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship commitments by aligning Institute research and environmental programs with enterprise sustainability priorities.
• Partners with field operations, HR, and business leaders to ensure Institute technical services, diagnostics, and training programs address the evolving needs of Davey's workforce and clients, providing technical guidance and subject-matter expertise as needed.
• Advocates for the Davey Institute within corporate and service line leadership, serving as the primary liaison between the Institute and the broader organization to ensure Institute priorities and capabilities are represented in enterprise planning.
• Participates as a member of Davey Tree's senior leadership team, contributing Institute perspective to company-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Upholds the Institute's compliance with applicable regulations, licensing requirements, and company standards governing research programs, the Diagnostic Laboratory, pesticide and fertilizer licensing, and SEED campus operations.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Follows all company policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Communication & Collaboration: Drives enterprise-wide alignment by communicating strategic direction, modeling transparency, and enabling collaboration across organizational boundaries.
• Quality Work: Builds organizational capability by aligning enterprise resources, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and making disciplined decisions that balance immediate operational needs with long-term priorities.
• Accountability: Establishes organizational accountability by stewarding resources, reinforcing safety and performance expectations, holding leaders accountable for results, and balancing short-term performance with long-term organizational success.
• Emotional Intelligence: Strengthens organizational trust and resilience by modeling authentic leadership, fostering psychological safety and employee wellbeing, and leading with empathy through organizational change.
• Strategic Leadership: Develops future leaders, identifies strategic opportunities, and provides compelling organizational direction that enables the organization to thrive through change, uncertainty, and evolving business conditions.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field required.
• Senior executive leadership experience in scientific research, arboriculture, or a related technical discipline required.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multidisciplinary technical programs, budgets, and teams at an executive level required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Ability to complete all required company training required.
• Experience leading scientific research programs, educational programs, diagnostic services, or technical services organizations in the green industry preferred.
• Experience cultivating partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, or industry research organizations preferred.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in professional office, laboratory, and outdoor environments, including on the SEED campus. Occasional travel required to support Institute programs, research partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.

What We Offer:

• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunities for advancement
• All job specific equipment and safety gear provided
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Employee-owned company & discounted stock purchase options
• Group Health Plan
• Employee referral bonus program
• Locations throughout US in major cities and desirable areas
• Career Development Program supported by Industry Expert Safety Specialists & Skills Trainers
• Scholarship Program for Children of Employees
• Charitable matching gift program

*all listed benefits available to eligible employees

The Davey Tree Expert Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected class, including race, colour, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital or familial status, disability, status as a protected veteran, status as an Aboriginal or Indigenous person, or other classification protected by law.

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. We care about our clients, each other and the world around us. We offer the resources, size and stability of a big company while maintaining the culture, entrepreneurial spirit and feel of a small one. We invest in our employees by offering industry-leading training, technology and benefits that lead to a rewarding and safe work experience at all levels. Wherever you want to grow your career, there’s a place for you at Davey.

Accommodations: If requested by employee or otherwise as required by law, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance at any time, please contact us at 1-877-411-7601 or at Recruiting@davey.com.

Employment Type: Permanent

Job Type: Full Time

Travel Expectations: Up to 50%