Director of Horticulture

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A distinguished botanical institution in Edinburgh seeks a Director of Horticulture to oversee an impressive Living Collections. The role requires dynamic leadership, a strong commitment to horticultural excellence, and engagement with the public and environmental issues. Responsibilities include managing collections, enhancing biodiversity initiatives, and advocating for the profession. This position offers a permanent, full-time contract with benefits including a Civil Service pension and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Generous annual leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in senior leadership roles within horticulture or related fields.
• Proven ability to represent organizations at a high level.
• Commitment to inclusion and workforce development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management of Living Collections.
• Promote and advocate for horticulture.
• Contribute to biodiversity recovery and climate resilience.
• Build horticultural consultancy and commercial partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Horticulture expertise

Public advocacy

Strategic planning

Biodiversity knowledge

Job description

Join to apply for the Director of Horticulture role at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh, UK (hybrid working possible)

Position type: Permanent, full-time

Benefits: Includes Civil Service pension, generous annual leave.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is seeking an exceptional individual for the role of Director of Horticulture—a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic oversight and stewardship of one of the world’s most significant living plant collections. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead horticultural excellence at a globally respected institution, playing a pivotal role in addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

We are an internationally renowned centre of excellence in biodiversity science, horticulture, education, and public engagement. With over 13,500 plant species cultivated across four gardens in Scotland—and welcoming over one million visitors annually—our collections and expertise are central to global efforts in plant conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable development. They also underpin a wide range of educational programmes, community engagement initiatives, and income‑generating activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management and development of our internationally significant Living Collections.
• Champion horticulture as a public advocate, thought leader, and spokesperson—raising the profile of the profession, promoting plant conservation, and inspiring the next generation of horticulturists.
• Advance horticultural contributions to biodiversity recovery, climate resilience, and sustainable landscape management.
• Play a key role in building the organisation’s horticultural consultancy and commercial partnerships—developing mission‑aligned services that extend our impact and generate income.

This is a broad and influential role, requiring a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of horticulture, a commitment to inclusion and workforce development, and the confidence and skills to represent the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh at the highest levels.

Please visit the full job description for the candidate pack and instructions to apply.

Closing date: midday (GMT) 5 January 2026

Interview date: February 2026