Head of Estates Operations & Maintenance

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is seeking to recruit to the role of Head of Estates Operations & Maintenance.

RBG Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, leading visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and its world-class herbarium. Set in 330 acres, the Kew Gardens site is a beautiful place to work and employs committed staff who are working to achieve Kew’s mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. RBG Kew has a second UK site at Wakehurst, West Sussex. The estates consist of over 380 buildings and structures, 40 plus listed buildings, which are used for visitors, scientific research, storage of national collections and administration.

In 2020 RBG Kew published its ambitious new corporate strategy laying out its strategic priorities to 2030 to tackle the twin global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Manifesto for Change is supported by Kew’s Sustainability Strategy – Climate Positive by 2030. https://www.kew.org/about-us/press-media/manifesto-for-change-2021

Reporting to the Director of Estates & Facilities, Head of Estates Operations & Maintenance leads maintenance strategy and operations the renowned and unique RBG Kew estate portfolio, ensuring exceptional levels of building conservation, sustainability and estate user experience.  The postholder will lead and inspire an in-house team of maintenance professionals and external partners to delivery to high standards and will work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across Estates Projects, Sustainability and Compliance to delivery the Estates Strategy.

We are seeking an individual with a proven track record in estates maintenance leadership roles across a large-scale operational property portfolio.  With the ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level, you will have experience of leading the development and execution of estates maintenance strategies resulting in performance improvement and value for money.  The role calls for an individual that is highly motivated and enthusiastic with excellent communication and leadership skills. 

The candidate brochure can be viewed here:

For the briefing discussion please contact our retained advisor Matt Giles (matthew.giles@mrgglobal.com) of MRG.  Applications, consisting of a comprehensive CV and supporting cover letter outlining a rationale for applying for the post, should be emailed to matthew.giles@mrgglobal.com.

Closing date for applications is 28th August 2023.  Interviews will take place during the week commencing 11th September 2023.