About the job

Job summary

Wakehurst is looking for an experienced Senior Communications Executive to join their dynamic Marketing & Strategic Communications Group. The Senior Communications Executive is responsible for delivering creative and impactful PR campaigns that will drive engagement, visitation and brand awareness. The postholder will lead primarily on communications for Wakehurst’s vibrant events programme, whilst contributing to the wider brand campaign to establish Wakehurst’s reputation as Kew’s wild botanic garden, and the efficient running of the Wakehurst press office. 

Job description

We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic individual who has proven experience of delivering national PR campaigns, securing broadcast, print and online coverage, ideally for a cultural organisation or visitor attraction.

Person specification

You must have experience of working in a busy press office, and have outstanding copywriting and verbal communication skills. You must have a keen eye for strong stories, and ideally be passionate about protecting our planet.  

This role is based at Wakehurst with hybrid working. Minimum 2 days in the office at Wakehurst with occasional last minute needs to be onsite for reactive press purposes. Extra days at Kew Gardens also possible. 

This role will involve a modest amount (approx 30-50h per annum) of evening and weekend work for preview or press events, photo/film shoots, on call duties to manage media at peak times and activate alerts during adverse weather events.

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.