Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead horticultural teams and deliver Kew’s Living Collections Strategy.
- Company: Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and leading plant science institute.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, wellness support, and free entry to national museums.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on plant conservation in a world-renowned botanic garden.
- Qualifications: Seeking experienced leaders in horticulture with a passion for environmental sustainability.
- Other info: Interviews scheduled for April 4 & 7; committed to equality and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Curator of Living Collections is a pivotal leadership role in both the delivery of Kew’s Living Collections Strategy and the Landscape Succession Plan and in the leadership of the horticultural teams, ensuring ‘best in class’ standards.
This post will report to the Director of Gardens and will be their Deputy for the Kew site, whilst leading the team of senior horticultural department heads. As a member of the Kew Leadership Forum, the postholder will collaborate and liaise across other directorates to ensure that the best results are achieved for a diverse range of projects and activities. In particular, they will liaise with their counterpart at Wakehurst to ensure that best practice and learnings from both sites are adopted, and a mindset of continuous improvement is promoted.
The postholder will deliver RBG Kew’s mission by ensuring delivery of the key objectives and priorities of the Living Collections Strategy and the Landscape Succession Plan with a focus on site-wide horticultural excellence and achievement of plant conservation aims. The postholder will be a senior leader within the Gardens Directorate, leading planning and prioritisation of activities for operational delivery across all horticultural departments.
About You
Kew would welcome candidates with highly credible experience as a leader within the horticultural field. This is an opportunity to be a part of the world’s most prominent botanic garden and to deliver a significant and lasting contribution in support of plant conservation and environmental place-making.
Interviews will provisionally take place on 4 & 7 April.
About Us
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.
Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi!
Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
No agencies please.
Curator (Head) of Living Collections employer: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS/KEW GARDENS
Contact Detail:
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS/KEW GARDENS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curator (Head) of Living Collections
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Kew's Living Collections Strategy and the Landscape Succession Plan. Understanding these key initiatives will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how your experience aligns with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Kew, especially those in leadership roles within horticulture. They can provide insights into the organizational culture and expectations, which can be invaluable for your preparation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it fosters collaboration across departments. Highlight examples from your past experiences where you successfully led teams to achieve horticultural excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges in plant conservation and horticulture. Being able to discuss these topics will demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Curator (Head) of Living Collections
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Curator of Living Collections. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role requires strong leadership skills in horticulture, make sure to emphasize your previous leadership roles and achievements in your CV and cover letter. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage projects effectively.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills related to plant conservation, horticultural excellence, and strategic planning. Mention any experience with collaboration across departments, as this is a key aspect of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalized cover letter that connects your passion for horticulture and plant conservation with Kew's mission. Explain why you are excited about the opportunity and how your vision aligns with their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS/KEW GARDENS
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a candidate for the Curator of Living Collections, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience in horticulture. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and implemented best practices in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Plant Conservation
Familiarize yourself with current plant conservation strategies and initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with Kew's mission and how you can contribute to their goals in plant conservation and environmental sustainability.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Discussions
Since this role involves collaboration across various directorates, think about past experiences where you've worked with different teams. Be prepared to share how you fostered teamwork and communication to achieve common objectives.
✨Emphasize Continuous Improvement Mindset
Kew values a mindset of continuous improvement. Reflect on instances where you've identified areas for enhancement in horticultural practices or team operations, and be ready to discuss how you implemented changes that led to better outcomes.
