Head of Science

Location: Based at Kew Gardens (Southwest London) with regular travel required including to the Wakehurst sites. There will be the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous, collections-based scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. It has two main botanic garden sites: Kew Gardens in south-west London, a top London visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Wakehurst in West Sussex, our wild botanic garden which is home to the Millennium Seed Bank. We also have a permanent research office in Madagascar, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The Science Directorate has over 750 staff and students committed to achieving Kew’s mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. Our aspiration to end the extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably requires Kew to invest in our people, our collections, and our science facilities. We have already started this ambitious programme by commencing the full digitisation of our herbarium and fungarium collections. We are now looking to appoint a new Head of Science Services.  The focus of this role is to deliver RBG Kew’s mission by overseeing and managing the delivery of the Science Services function in the Science Directorate through effective liaison with the leadership team and stakeholders across the organisation. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Science (Operations) and deputising for them as required, the Head of Science Services is responsible for the strategic development of administration and governance; science policy; communications and engagement; laboratories; and health & safety and estates liaison to support the delivery of the Science Strategy. You will have a track record of successfully leading an operations function within an academic or research setting, bringing significant experience of research facilities management and of financial governance. Additionally, you will bring experience and evidence of being a highly influential communicator with senior stakeholders both externally and internally and be confident in leading and inspiring multidisciplinary teams, including through periods of change. The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew has appointed executive search specialists Veredus to support us with this appointment.  Closing date: 23:55 GMT Sunday 25th February 2024