About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time for RBG Kew on a clearly defined mission to understand plants and fungi, for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth.  Underpinning this is a bold and ambitious strategy which explicitly seeks to engage people outside Kew in our work, in the value of plant and fungal science and the importance of horticulture in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today.

With its magnificent botanic gardens at Kew and wild botanic garden at Wakehurst in Sussex, home to the Millennium Seed Bank, RBG Kew stands poised to expand its reach, explore new opportunities for engagement and build a deeper understanding of its role as a globally important organisation to achieve change. 

This role is a critical part of that story and will manage one person sitting within the dynamic Communications team. It will suit someone who is proactive and a great relationship builder in both internal and external relations. 

Job description

A strategic thinker with a passion for seeking out and developing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, the ideal candidate would be someone with significant experience in a similar role, ideally within a large and complex organisation.  The position also calls for someone with great organisational skills, able to plan and oversee delivery of large-scale events with multiple stakeholders and high-profile guests.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be a big picture thinker who is able to research and analyse complex information and write succinct briefs for senior staff, sometimes at short notice, as well as advise on strategic engagement and present with confidence.

Experience of line management is important, as is the ability to manage a budget and data, and work as a team to deliver against clear strategic objectives.

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.