Curator

Curator  –  Dawyck Botanic Garden
Candidate Pack
February  2026

ABOUT US

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-renowned centre for plant study, conservation,
biodiversity innovation, horticulture and education as well as a hugely popular tourist
attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden for growing medicinal plants, it has evolved into
a global leader in plant science, conservation, horticulture and education. Key features include:

Four Gardens: Our four distinct Gardens - Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan - each
feature their own unique plant collections and specialities, adapted to their microclimates.

Edinburgh: Behind the science, conservation and education facilities, is a tranquil oasis in the
heart of the city. Across 72 acres, the Garden showcases nearly 60,000 plants from around the
world in themed plantings. Features such as the Rock Garden and Chinese Hillside, with their
known wild origin material, are internationally renowned. The public Glasshouses, including the
iconic A-Listed Palm Houses, are currently closed for major restoration as part of the
Edinburgh Biomes Project.

Benmore: On a mountainside in Argyll, Benmore is celebrated for its magnificent and
scientifically significant collection of rhododendrons and conifers. Its stunning setting features
significant collections from Chile, Bhutan and Japan.

Dawyck: Situated in the Scottish Borders, Dawyck Botanic Garden is famous for its heritage
and conservation of trees and shrubs, particularly those from the mountainous regions of
Nepal, Asia, and North America.

Logan: On the south-western tip of Scotland, Logan enjoys a mild climate influenced by the
Gulf Stream, allowing it to cultivate a variety of exotic plants from the Southern Hemisphere
not usually seen this far north.

Globally important Living Collection: We hold one of the world’s largest and richest plant
collections, with over 13,500 plant species, many of which are under threat, economically or
ethnobotanically important, or still to be scientifically described.

Global Conservation: We inspire and participate in global conservation projects, aiming to
protect plant biodiversity and address environmental challenges.

Herbarium: The Herbarium contains over three million preserved specimens, making it a
valuable global resource for scientific research and education.

Education: We inspire others through a range of educational programmes and courses for
all ages; promoting plant science, horticulture and conservation.

Visitor Attraction: Together, our four Gardens constitute one of Scotland's premier visitor
attractions, offering beautiful landscapes, engagement with nature, public programmes and
seasonal events. As a popular destination for both tourists and locals, the Royal Botanic
Garden of Edinburgh attracts over one million visitors annually across its four Gardens.

The Edinburgh Garden offers free admission to the outdoor areas, making it an accessible
and enriching experience for all with paid admission at Benmore, Logan and Dawyck.

The organisation’s international profile is bolstered by extensive collaborations with
partners worldwide, including the Kunming Institute of Botany in China. These relationships
enhance research capabilities and conservation initiatives, making us a pivotal player in
addressing global environmental challenges.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a charity, and a Non-Departmental Public Body
(NDPB) sponsored and supported through Grant-in-Aid by the Scottish Government's
Environment and Forestry Directorate. It is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by
Scottish Ministers. The Botanics Trading Company Limited, established in 1992, is our
commercial arm, generating funds through various business ventures to support our mission.

The organisation comprises over 320 staff drawn from a variety of disciplines, contributing
in many ways to its overall objectives and functions.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh also has a legal status as an
academic institution.

rbge.org.uk

OUR PRIORITIES

To deliver our mission 'to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants', our
work is guided by three strategic priorities:

• Unlocking knowledge and understanding of plants and fungi for the benefit of

society: Our scientific research will focus on understanding the threats to species
and biomes and their likely responses to environmental change. We are
developing enhanced strategies and actions for conserving biodiversity at home
and around the world.

• Conserving and developing botanical collections as a global resource: We

curate and enhance the National Botanical Collection of Scotland as a scientific
and cultural heritage resource and support the wider development of botanical
collections, particularly in countries in the Global South.

• Enriching and empowering individuals and communities through learning and

engagement with plants and fungi: Our work builds global capacity to respond to
the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency by developing and sharing
scientific, conservation and horticultural knowledge through education and
engagement with the public.

We are now approaching the final stages of our 2021 – 2026 strategy Responding to
the Biodiversity Crisis and Climate Emergency.

OUR VALUES

We work collaboratively

We value evidence

We cultivate curiosity

Vision

A positive future
for plants, people
and planet.

Mission
To explore, conserve
and explain the world
of plants.

THE ROLE

Dawyck Botanic Garden is one of the world’s finest arboreta and renowned for its seasonal
displays. The garden welcomes approximately 40,000 visitors a year to explore its 65 acres
of trees and burnside walks including carpets of snowdrops, drifts of bluebells, vibrant
displays of rhododendrons, meconopsis, species rich grassland and outstanding autumn
colour.

Living collection management and horticulture is changing, as we embrace a more holistic
attitude to our landscape management. This means being more attuned to benefitting
biodiversity as a whole and being more reactive to the immediate impacts of our changing
climate, adopting nature-based solutions and thinking. We adopt rigorous biosecurity
protocols in our Living Collections management, zero peat use, and reduced chemical use.
Dawyck matches the importance of its plant collection with environmental principles through
modern hydro electric systems and green technology initiatives achieving the status of the
first carbon neutral garden in the UK.

At RBGE, the culture is collaborative and community orientated, and the Curator and their
team will work closely with all organisational divisions, including the Botanic Trading
Company (BTC) staff to achieve our vision and mission.

Purpose
The  Curator  of  Dawyck  Botanic  Garden  gives  visionary  leadership  for  Dawyck,  this  includes
the  planning,  management,  development,  and  presentation  of  the  garden  to  the  highest
horticultural standards. Also, to lead and motivate the gardens team, working collaboratively
across  RBGE  departments  to  develop  and  deliver  RBGE  strategy  goals  and  a  great  visitor
experience.

Living Collection & Visitor Experience
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Care and cultivation of the Living Collection as set out in the RBGE Living Collection
Policy and relevant management and strategic plans, including exemplary plant records
management;
Maintain the highest standards of presentation, horticulture, and biosecurity in the
gardens, adapting to climate change, and driving sustainable garden management
practices, including decarbonisation, zero peat use and chemical use reduction;

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• Work collaboratively with science teams to deliver the ambitions of RBGE science and
conservation programmes, such as the International Conifer Conservation Programme;
• Work collaboratively with the Visitor Welcome, Commercial, and Estates teams to deliver

a great customer service culture;

• Work collaboratively with public engagement and arts teams to ensure interpretation

and exhibitions are current and well-presented. Lead on delivery of gardens tours, talks
and events on site;
Lead garden tours, talks, and events that bring our story to life for diverse audiences.

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Operational Leadership & Safety
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Lead the over-all site operations, participate in and also ensure that on-call
cover is in place for when the garden is open to the public, including winter
shutdown;
Lead on recruitment, deployment, development and management of gardens
staff, apprentices, students, and volunteers, including national and international
fieldwork opportunities;
Ensure health and safety compliance for visitors and staff on site. This includes
implementing and updating RBGE safe working systems and ensuring staff
training and health surveillance needs are met;

• Work closely and collaboratively with other teams, including estates,

commercial, learning and engagement, development and communications, and
science, to ensure that targets for maintenance, income generation and
information provision are met;
Project management of significant gardens projects, and/or inputting into larger
project management processes;
Management and oversight of contractors on site, ensuring compliance and
visitor safety needs are met, and where possible ensuring quality and value of
work.

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Strategy, Planning & Finance
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Budget holder with responsibility for creation and management of annual
departmental budgets, including procurement compliance working with RBGE
finance team;
Lead on the ongoing development and delivery of gardens plans and policies,
ensuring compatibility with our RBGE plans and strategies. Input into, and report
on RBGE strategies and organisation delivery plans;

• Work collaboratively with the supporter groups to maintain a good working

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relationship and ongoing support;
Lead and contribute to the development, procurement, and delivery of capital
projects within the garden.

Leadership & Community Engagement
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Be an active member of the RBGE Senior Leadership Team, representing
Dawyck and enabling cross divisional opportunities;
Build and maintain good relationships with neighbours, supporter groups, and
local stakeholders;
Represent RBGE on external stakeholder groups and to the media, acting as an
ambassador for the organisation and the individual gardens in the UK and
internationally.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

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Excellent plant  knowledge, especially of temperate trees, shrubs and
herbaceous species.

Experience working with scientific plant collections in a botanic garden setting.

A strong grasp of modern horticultural practices including plant conservation,
collections management, plant health and veteran tree management.

Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing horticultural teams,
students and volunteers.

Proven project management experience in horticultural settings.

Solid understanding of health and safety legislation, including risk assessments
and COSHH.

Excellent communication and digital skills, with confidence in public speaking
and media engagement.

Relevant qualifications: National Certificate or SVQ Level 3 in horticulture (or
equivalent experience), plus a Diploma in Horticulture.

A valid UK driver’s licence.

Desirable:

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Experience working in either hertitage, cultural or academic sectors focussed on
delivering an optimal customer experience.

Experience with procurement, budgeting, and contributing to fundraising.

Experience teaching horticultural skills and plant ID.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This role is based at Dawyck Botanic Garden with occasional travel to Edinburgh and
our Benmore and Logan regional gardens.

We offer a generous employment package:

• Annually alongside your salary of £49,204 to £54,875, RBGE contributes 28.97%
of this towards you being a member of the defined benefit Civil Service Pension
scheme. Your pension pot in this scheme will grow by 2.32% per year.

• 25 days holiday entitlement on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 2 years of

service, with the option to buy additional holidays.
11.5 days of public and privilege holidays annually.

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• A range of staff support mechanisms, including an employee assistance

programme, cycle to work and staff discount schemes.

• A number of family-friendly options to support work-life balance, including flexible
working arrangements, enhanced contractual maternity, paternity, adoption, and
shared parental leave, and career breaks.
• Discounts in our shop, restaurants, and cafes.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:

• Your CV
• A covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to

the role

• A digitally completed equal opportunities questionnaire*: EOQ form

The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 with
interviews to be held on Thursday, 26 March 2026 at Dawyck.

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sarah Packford at
spackford@rbge.org.uk

*The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your
application. Please complete as part of the application process.