Morecambe - Horticulture Curator

Job Description: Horticulture Curator – Eden Project Morecambe

Job Title

Horticulture Curator

Department

Horticulture

Reports to

Director of Horticulture with dotted line to EPM Head of Site

Direct Reports

On completion of the project: 2 Garden Managers, and the Plant Procurement Officer.

Job Family Definition

Roles within the Horticulture job family (Cultivation, Living Landscapes and Education) are dedicated to understanding, developing, designing, cultivating, protecting, sharing, teaching about and managing Eden's living collection of plants, in a landscape environment where visitors and students are encouraged to experience and learn about plants, habitats and eco‑systems and their vital role in providing a sustainable future. The Living Landscapes provide a stage on which to inspire, demonstrate and communicate the Eden Project mission: Growing a movement, working with nature to respond to the planetary emergency. The Eden Project practices regenerative horticulture and shares narratives about respecting, protecting and repairing nature and growing crops sustainably - taking human and planetary health into account.

Role Purpose

The Horticulture Curator will lead on the horticulture and landscape implementation at Eden Project Morecambe creating an exceptional visitor experience utilising the garden’s displays, landscape and collections to inspire, educate and delight our visitors throughout the seasons.

This role will be instrumental in supporting the project delivery team, as well as contributing to the organisation and planning of the horticultural components of the project. Seeing the site transition from one of construction to operational. During the construction phase, this role will build and develop the horticultural team to meet the needs and requirements to ensure the site has world class horticulture from day 1 of opening.

The Horticulture Curator role is one of the most senior roles in the on-site management of Eden Project Morecambe. It is a very high‑profile position within the Eden Project, that comes with many opportunities for both career development and personal growth. The role acts as both a ‘leading’ figurehead and key ambassador for horticulture and the garden at EPM.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead on the development and management of a five‑year, rolling, horticultural development plans (in tandem with Director of Horticulture and wider strategic teams) to further develop and enhance future horticultural offers at EPM in line with Eden Projects strategic plans and to develop deeper visitor engagement.




• Support the Director of Horticulture whilst leading on‑ground team activities.

Horticultural Excellence

• To lead on the horticulture and landscape at Eden Project Morecambe, creating an exceptional visitor experience utilising the garden’s displays, landscape and collections to inspire, educate and delight our visitors throughout the seasons.




• Lead on managing consistently excellent standards of curation in terms of plant husbandry, design, plant diversity, plant recording and environmental sustainability to fulfil visitor expectations and maintain the high reputation of the garden and organisation amongst all stakeholders.




• Lead on protecting, enhancing and sustaining Eden’s living theatre as a leading green destination, focusing on human plant interdependencies.




• Collaboratively lead on the communication and education program for Eden Project Morecombe, including delivering formal education both internally at EPM and externally, including tours and written work - covering plants, landscapes and eco‑systems and specific topics.




• Lead on managing biosecurity for the horticulture department with support from the Director of Horticulture to ensure the highest standards of compliance.




• Responsible for engaging and collaborating with the Horticulture teams across the Eden Project to ensure knowledge and skills sharing for the long‑term benefit of the Charity to deliver the best for the Eden Project.

People Leadership and Culture

• Lead a team in the effective and successful delivery of practical horticulture to produce world‑standard plantings, landscapes, interpreted displays and gardens.




• Responsible for staff, learner and volunteer training, development and succession planning within the Horticulture department to help foster and support a positive ‘growth’ culture.

Operational Responsibilities

• To represent Eden Project Morecambe and the wider charity, sharing your passion for our work across our media platforms working in collaboration with our communications and marketing teams, across fundraising activities and to lead and inspire groups at our Events.




• Support the wider, EPM management team in a leading role as a site ‘Duty Manager’ ensuring a better, safer, more consistent visitor experience.




• Support the delivery of projects and wider site operations with colleagues in: Marketing, Operations, Event, Food and Beverage and Retail to deliver a more co‑ordinated, joined up visitor experience for all.




• Support other initiatives and duties as may be reasonably expected - including shows (i.e. Eden Session) as and when required.

Finance Governance and Risk

• Control and management of the Horticulture operating budget of over £500,000 p.a., propose and justify cases for Capex expenditure and for all funded horticultural projects.




• Co‑ordinat all activity associates including health & safety, staffing, procurement, pest and disease control, record keeping, short, mid and long‑term planning and programming, communication with stakeholders, third party interaction and technical research.




• To be accountable for delivering a high‑quality visitor experience within the Garden, ensuring the Horticulture team is well equipped and motivated, maintain excellent standards of horticulture and curation, and operate efficiently and safely within a public garden setting.

Values and Behaviours

• The Horticultural Curator will embody and promote the Eden Values:




• Connecting people with nature and sustainability




• Curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning




• Inclusivity, kindness, and collaboration




• Accountability, integrity, and commercial responsibility




• Positive, inspirational leadership

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications – Essential

• Horticultural or related qualification to Master of Horticulture (MHort) level or equivalent.




• Professional horticultural expertise with a strong passion for plants, gardens and cultivated landscapes.




• Working knowledge in sustainability, conservation, plant propagation, eco‑restoration, entomology, hydrology, and ethnobotany.




• Membership of relevant professional horticultural bodies and networks.




• Additional specialist knowledge in areas such as sustainability, conservation, plant propagation, eco‑restoration, entomology, hydrology or ethnobotany.

Education and Qualifications – Desirable

• Additional specialist knowledge in areas such as sustainability, conservation, plant propagation, eco‑restoration, entomology, hydrology or ethnobotany.

Knowledge and Skills – Essential

• Extensive horticultural knowledge across plant husbandry, garden curation, landscape management and environmental sustainability.




• Proven ability to lead large‑scale horticultural projects from planning through to delivery.




• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.




• Highly motivated, self‑directed and personally accountable.




• Ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, volunteers, visitors and external stakeholders.




• Strong understanding of creating outstanding visitor experiences within public‑facing environments.




• Experience working across media, communications and education platforms.




• Knowledge of heritage gardens, botanic gardens and National Plant Collections.




• Passion for interpreting living collections and sharing horticultural knowledge with diverse audiences.




• Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration and engagement across departments.

Knowledge and Skills – Desirable

• Ability to balance short‑term operational priorities with long‑term strategic objectives.




• Sound judgement in managing horticultural standards, biosecurity, health and safety, staffing and visitor experience.




• Proven experience of strategic and operational planning.




• Ability to make timely decisions in complex and changing environments.




• Experience contributing to organisational strategy and long‑term horticultural development planning.




• Experience preparing business cases and supporting capital investment decisions.

Decision Making – Essential

• Ability to balance short‑term operational priorities with long‑term strategic objectives.




• Sound judgement in managing horticultural standards, biosecurity, health and safety, staffing and visitor experience.




• Proven experience of strategic and operational planning.




• Ability to make timely decisions in complex and changing environments.




• Experience contributing to organisational strategy and long‑term horticultural development planning.




• Experience preparing business cases and supporting capital investment decisions.

Decision Making – Desirable

• Experience of strategic and operational planning.




• Ability to make timely decisions in complex and changing environments.

Resourcefulness – Essential

• Ability to develop innovative solutions to horticultural, environmental and operational challenges.




• Flexible and creative approach to problem solving.




• Ability to identify opportunities to improve landscapes, planting schemes and visitor engagement.




• Strong collaborative approach to achieving organisational objectives.




• Experience implementing innovative horticultural practices, sustainability initiatives or educational programmes.




• Demonstrated ability to introduce new ideas that enhance visitor, environmental or organisational outcomes.

People and Asset Management – Essential

• Significant experience leading, motivating and developing horticultural teams.




• Experience managing apprentices, volunteers and learning opportunities.




• Ability to build a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture.




• Commitment to developing, coaching and supporting others.




• Experience managing horticultural resources, procurement and operational budgets.




• Commitment to maintaining high standards in plant collections, gardens and landscapes.




• Experience delivering education, training and development of horticultural team s at multiple skill levels.




• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams through periods of growth or organisational change.




• Experience of succession planning and workforce development.




• Experience managing large public garden or destination horticultural operations.

Communication and Visitor Experience – Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.




• Ability to communicate complex horticultural information to specialist and non‑specialist audiences.




• Experience delivering presentations, talks, tours or educational activities.




• Ability to engage effectively with visitors, staff, volunteers, media and stakeholders.




• Strong commitment to delivering an exceptional visitor experience.




• Experience representing an organisation through media, public relations or promotional activities.




• Experience writing educational, interpretive or editorial content.




• Demonstrated ability to inspire and engage audiences through horticultural storytelling and interpretation.

Operational Environment – Essential

• Ability to work effectively in a physically demanding outdoor environment.




• Ability to work safely in varied and challenging climatic conditions.




• Strong understanding of health and safety responsibilities within horticultural operations.




• Flexibility to support wider site operations, events and organisational activities as required.




• Experience working in major visitor attractions, public gardens, botanic gardens or heritage landscapes.




• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally when required.




• Experience operating within complex, multi‑stakeholder environments undergoing development or change.