About the job

Job summary

Kew is the world’s leading botanic gardens, at the forefront of plant and fungal science, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major visitor attraction. We want a world where plants and fungi are understood, valued, and conserved – because our lives depend on them. We use the power of our science and the rich diversity of our gardens and collections to provide knowledge, inspiration and understanding of why plants and fungi matter to everyone.

The Estates Projects Team play a key part in this ambition delivering a multimillion-pound programme of new build, conservation, refurbishment and decarbonisation projects, across a diverse, complex historic estate. Key to the successful delivery of the programme is dedicated PMO office with responsibility for maintaining project management standards and coordination of the overall programme of work.

Kew are seeking a PMO Lead to build and expand the existing PMO function for Kew Estates Department, to provide quality coordination, analysis and delivery of all PMO activities, whilst maintaining a uniform and high-performing approach to project and programme management at Kew.

Job description

The post holder will establish and manage a Project Management Office function for the Estates Department. Reporting to the Head of Estates Projects and working directly with the Project management team, the PMO Lead will plan, develop and monitor Kew’s Capital Programme in order to ensure a circa £20m annual capital programme is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest standards.

Person specification

They will ensure the Capital Programme and projects comply with Kew’s Project Management System, embedding best practice PMO standards and procedures. The PMO Lead will be experienced in drafting clear and concise high quality reports and at supporting Project Managers in their reporting. This is a highly visible role and will require regular engagement and clear communication at all levels to ensure the successful delivery of the capital programme.

This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application via the Kew Gardens website. 

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.

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.