Head of Visitor Programmes and Exhibitions, Kew Gardens
Salary: salary is competitive and will be commensurate with the experience of the appointed candidate
Location: The post-holder will be based at Kew Gardens in London
Closing Date: Wednesday 10th April
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759 and over the past 260 years has been at the centre of global discovery, collection, identification, naming and ordering of all things plant and fungi related. Today it’s a global resource for plant and fungal knowledge and the world’s leading botanic garden. Situated across two sites, at Kew Gardens near Richmond in London and at Wakehurst in Sussex, RBG Kew displays and celebrates the diversity of plant life from around the world within spectacular landscapes. RBG Kew has 1000 employees and 500 volunteers.
Kew Gardens is a major visitor attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Festivals, events and exhibitions are a hugely important direct and indirect driver of visits to Kew Gardens. In a highly competitive days out/leisure marketplace, our public programme allows us to further stand out from the market, attract new audiences, stimulate visits from new and returning visitors and help change perceptions of RBG Kew. Kew is now seeking outstanding candidates for the role of Head of Programmes and Exhibitions at Kew Gardens. As part of the Marketing & Commercial Enterprise Directorate, this role heads the Visitor Programmes and Galleries teams and will be responsible for delivering the five-year visitor programme. They will lead the creative and operational delivery of events, festivals and exhibitions across the year and will make sure we always have a rolling 5-year forward plan. Beyond this, the successful candidate will occupy a leadership and influencing role across the organisation as part of the Kew Leadership Forum.
Kew would welcome candidates with experience leading a programming team in a heritage, culture sector or leisure attraction. A track record of delivering successful programmes with vision, creativity and a keen commercial sense will be essential, as will the ability to influence, network and build strong relationships across an organisation. This is the opportunity to be a part of the world’s leading botanic garden, delivering an exciting and innovative programme of events and exhibitions which will attract a growing number of visitors to Kew Gardens.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference EASPD. Alternatively, telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday 10th April.