About the job

Job summary

This exciting position puts the post holder at the centre of science communications for RBG Kew. The role is a crucial coordinating link between the Science Directorate, the organisation’s other directorates, and the wider public.

Job description

The post holder will manage a small team with responsibility for engaging directly with researchers to communicate Kew’s scientific outputs and impact. As lead for communication and engagement within Science, the post holder will be responsible for developing and delivering a strategic communications plan for the directorate as well as maintaining editorial oversight of its communication channels, ensuring Kew’s voice stems from an evidence-based and informed scientific perspective. Their focus within the team will be on internal engagement and the communication of major research and capital projects.

Person specification

The post holder should have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline, and experience of working in communications in a scientific, conservation or research-focused environment, and/or within the higher education sector, as well as of managing a strategic communications function.

As the key voice for science communications, the person requires excellent writing and editorial skills and attention to detail which they will use in the development of a range of communications programmes and channels (including monitoring and reporting on social media and digital analytics).

The post holder should demonstrate confident leadership and the ability to build strong personal and collaborative relationships. Their experience in line managing, developing and mentoring colleagues should extend to the ability to use change management approaches to build understanding and ownership, with a particular skill at handling critical and sensitive matters.

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 access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for this role, please submit your application through the Kew Gardens website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.