Director of Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a globally recognised resource for plant and fungal knowledge, a scientific research institute, the world’s leading botanic garden, a major visitor attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, internationally respected for its outstanding collections of plants & fungi. Across its two main sites – Kew Gardens in south-west London, and Wakehurst in West Sussex – Kew attracts 2.5m visitors a year and is home to the most diverse living collection of any botanical garden in the world – a vital global resource with approximately 16,000 species. Kew’s ultimate goal is to step up to help to end the extinction crisis and contribute to creating a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. To deliver this mission, Kew’s Manifesto for Change 2021-2030 centres around five key priorities based on how Kew believes it can best deploy its expertise and other assets to make a distinctive and substantial contribution to solving these global challenges. As a key member of Kew’s Executive Board, reporting to the Director of Kew, the Director of Gardens will support the delivery of Kew’s Manifesto for Change, providing strategic leadership and vision covering all aspects of horticulture, management of Living Collections, landscape design, horticultural education and learning and participation. They will also be responsible for high-profile capital projects across Kew Gardens and Wakehurst. They will work collaboratively with senior colleagues across all directorates of Kew and will liaise with and provide reports to Trustees on a variety of topics and initiatives, seeking agreement and support where needed. The ideal candidate will bring senior strategic leadership experience from a major botanic garden or relevant organisation, a demonstrable and well-developed understanding of the role and aims of modern botanic gardens, particularly relating to living collections and conservation of global biodiversity, and a relevant qualification in horticulture or a closely allied field of study. They will bring experience of capital projects and major garden, landscape or heritage building development projects, as well as a highly collaborative and collegiate style with experience of building relationships to define a positive working culture and lead a diverse team of senior reports to deliver priority outcomes. Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference JASPF. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com . Applications should be received by noon on Monday 16 th December 2024.