Head of Learning and Public Engagement (Part-time)

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Hours
28.80 hours per week

Start date
1st March 2026

About the Organisation

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all, and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

About the role

Our ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with a passion for connecting people to nature. You’ll bring a proven track record of creating inspiring visitor experiences and events that drive attendance and income, alongside confidence in leading multi-disciplinary teams and collaborating internally and externally. With strong strategic thinking and hands-on delivery skills, you’ll manage complex projects, budgets, and KPIs while championing accessibility, safeguarding, and EDI best practice.

Experience in fundraising, ticketing strategy, and audience engagement is essential, and we’re looking for someone with excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills. A background in botanic science, conservation, or biodiversity is a bonus.

Responsibilities

Executive Team and Department Management role:

• Work with the Director and Senior leadership team to deliver the Wakehurst Strategic Plan, developing Wakehurst as a world-class science-led, botanic and visitor destination, and a key part of RBG Kew.
• Lead, manage and develop the Learning and Public Engagement department, ensuring the team works creatively, effectively and collaboratively across the organisation and externally to deliver high-quality programmes which drive visitor attendance, membership and income, and reflect
• Wakehurst’s objective is to become a nationally recognised visitor destination alongside a pioneering scientific centre.
• Respond to audience engagement and satisfaction research, ensuring that KPIs and targets are met, and opportunities are found for new offers or improved delivery.
• Take a strategic lead on ticketing for events and programmes across Wakehurst.
• Be responsible for Health & Safety and Sustainability in relation to all activities within the team and function as the Safeguarding and EDI lead for Wakehurst.
• In collaboration with Wakehurst, Kew, and Kew Development teams, contribute to Wakehurst’s stakeholder relations and fundraising strategies.
• As a senior manager, this role also undertakes Duty Management of the site as required.

Programming and Events:

• In collaboration with the Head of Visitor Experience and Commercial and within the framework of the Wakehurst Programmes Strategy, drive the planning, development, and effective delivery of distinctive, engaging, impactful, and accessible events for families, adults, and informal learners which provide compelling experiences, tell informative, science-based, entertaining stories, and drive audiences and revenue.

Learning & Participation:

• In response to RBG Kew’s Learning Strategy and the Wakehurst Learning and Participation Vision, drive the devising and delivery of high-quality, impactful, accessible programmes for schools and community groups which increase and diversify the range of people visiting the site and engaging with Wakehurst’s programmes and science.

Science and Nature Connection:

• Working with Science and Gardens Directorate colleagues across Wakehurst and RGB Kew to ensure that the work of Kew science and horticulture is embedded throughout Wakehurst’s learning, public engagement, and events. Drive Wakehurst as a living laboratory and centre of nature connectedness research.

Management of Resources:

• Financial: Maintain budgetary oversight for the key areas of spend, identifying and negotiating capital, operating, and staffing resource requirements to deliver the proposed programmes and KPI outcomes, while adhering to budgets and spending limits.
• People: Lead, manage and develop the Learning and Public Engagement team of directly employed staff, volunteers, and contractors, to ensure that delegated responsibilities and high performance are achieved within a safe, healthy, effective and positively engaged working environment.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary team and collaborating internally and externally to deliver successful learning activities, programming, and events in a cultural context
• Proven track record of creating inspiring visitor experiences and events which drive visitor numbers and income
• Knowledge of current policies, trends, and audiences in cultural learning
• Experience of developing accessible, inclusive programmes and knowledge of best practice in EDI and safeguarding
• Experience in leading and managing successful audience-engagement projects
• Experience in successfully setting and managing significant projects and operating budgets, and achieving a range of impacts, KPIs, and measures
• Track record of fundraising for learning and public engagement activities
• Experience in leading and implementing ticketing processes and strategies
• Track record of researching, championing, and driving new ideas and change processes
• Experience in leading, managing, and motivating multifunctional and matrix-managed teams, including staff, partners, artists, contractors, and volunteers

Competencies:

• Ability to combine strategic thinking to drive long-term organisational goals, with fast-paced, hands-on operational delivery working to deadlines and budgets
• Excellent organisational, project management, planning, and financial skills
• Strong research, problem-solving, decision-making, and negotiating skills, combining creative flair with attention to detail
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills to connect with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Effective line management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, build strong working relationships, and achieve high performance
• Understanding of ticketing, marketing, publicity, and funding campaign requirements
• Ability to represent the organisation externally, in presentations, the media, and among stakeholder networks

Desirable:

• Experience with large capital projects
• Understanding of current issues, policies, and practices in botanic science, horticulture, conservation, and biodiversity

Required Qualifications

• Degree or relevant professional qualification

Compensation & Benefits

• Fantastic benefits package
• Opportunities for continuous learning,
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Healthy work-life balance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing support, such as a cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership.
• Competitive pension
• Employee discount scheme

Working locations

• Wakehurst, West Sussex, Hybrid

How to apply

• If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal by "Apply for this job".

Interviews

• First interviews w/c 8th December. Second round interviews, if required, w/c 15th December.

Policies

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

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