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Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a world leader in plant science, as the Glasshouse Manager and play a pioneering role in global environmental conservation.
Overview
Salary
£39243
Location
Kew Gardens, Richmond, UK
Expires
Expires at anytime
The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a renowned institute in plant science, an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major visitor spot. Our mandate is to promote understanding of and guard plants and fungi for the welfare of people and to secure all future life forms. We have exceptional gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, an illustrious 260-year history, and a passionate goal to end the extinction crisis and shape a world cherishing and sustainably managing nature.
Role Summary:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
- Ensure the health of the plant collections and manage a diverse horticultural team.
- Support Kew's scientific, conservation, and educational endeavours, and drive the annual Orchid Festival.
Role Requirements:
- NVQ Level 3 (or higher) in Horticulture or an equivalent qualification.
- Experience in managing horticultural teams and enforcing effective performance management.
- Practical skills in glasshouse plant care, machinery use, and management of pests, disease, irrigation, and nutrition.
- Experience in creating high-quality displays.
- Coaching skills and experience with living collections or event displays is desirable.
Benefits:
- Continual learning, generous annual leave, flexible work schedules, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, and free entry to national museums, galleries, and our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
- Competitive pension and employee discount scheme.
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.
The role: As the Glasshouse Manager for the Princess of Wales Conservatory, you will be responsible for the strategic day-to-day management of the glasshouse environment, plant collections, and a diverse horticultural team of staff, students, and volunteers. You will ensure exceptional plant health, deliver an inspiring visitor experience, support Kew's scientific, conservation, and educational work, and lead the delivery of Kew's renowned annual Orchid Festival.
Job requirements: You will hold an NVQ Level 3 (or higher) in Horticulture or an equivalent qualification, such as the RHS Level 3 Diploma. You must have experience managing horticultural teams, including volunteers, and applying effective performance management. Strong practical skills in glasshouse plant care, horticultural techniques, machinery use, and pest, disease, irrigation, and nutrition management are essential. Experience creating high-quality displays is essential, with coaching skills, living collections, or event display experience desirable.
Benefits: 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.
