Vacancies

Full Time (35 hours), based in Edinburgh
Salary: £27, 366, plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction located in the centre of Edinburgh. Our work builds on our long history as a scientific botanic garden and centre of education with internationally important botanical collections and a commitment to the study and conservation of plants. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, the garden is a sanctuary for a wide range of plant species, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Horticulturist to join our Herbaceous and Shrub team. The successful candidate will help us achieve our vision to provide a positive future for plants, people, and the planet by exploring, conserving, and explaining the world of plants. 

Key responsibilities include:

•    Work in key areas of the garden, maintaining the high horticultural standards.
•    Propose and implement ideas to improve plantings and standards of presentation.
•    Support students and volunteers, ensuring their safety and the quality of their work.
•    Complete various tasks throughout the garden, using and maintaining equipment competently. 
•    Deliver a world-class visitor experience while also helping to develop and conserve the living collection.

You should have experience in horticulture, particularly in plant cultivation, good plant identification skills, have organisational and communication skills, be able to work independently and as part of a team and have a passion for plants and a commitment to conservation and sustainability.

RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
•    your CV
•    a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
•    a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form

Closing date:            9am Thursday 10 September 2026
Interview date:         Tuesday 22 September 2026
Recruitment Information:    Job description and person specification

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.

Full Time (35 hours), based in Edinburgh
Salary: £27,366, plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is home to internationally significant plant collections that support conservation, research and education. As a Horticulturist in our Nursery team, you will help propagate and cultivate a diverse range of plants, contributing to the care and development of the Living Collection while working alongside knowledgeable and passionate colleagues.

In this hands-on role, you will propagate, cultivate and maintain a wide variety of plants, supporting collection development and horticultural projects across the organisation. You will be involved in plant establishment, irrigation, feeding programmes, plant health monitoring, record keeping and biosecurity activities, while helping to ensure the nursery operates efficiently and to a high horticultural standard. You'll also contribute to the maintenance and improvement of nursery facilities and landscape areas, working with a broad range of plants and horticultural equipment. 

We're looking for someone with practical horticultural experience, excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work. You'll enjoy working as part of a team while also being confident managing your own workload and taking initiative. Experience in plant maintenance and an understanding of plant health are essential, while experience with plant collections, horticultural qualifications or pesticide certification would be advantageous.

RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
•    your CV
•    a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
•    a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form

Closing date:             Thursday, 10 September 2026 (midday)
Interview date:         Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Recruitment Information:    Job description and person specification

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.

Contract type: Fixed-term – 4 months (starting as soon as possible)
Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Location: Edinburgh (onsite), hybrid working may be available
Salary: £33,454 plus benefits

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-leading botanic garden, conservation charity and visitor attraction. Through our four gardens and internationally recognised collections, we inspire people to value, protect and enjoy plants and the natural world. We also deliver a vibrant programme of events that connects thousands of visitors with our work each year. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised Events Coordinator to join our Events team and support the delivery of RBGE's exciting events programme, including our flagship winter event, Christmas at the Botanics. Working closely with colleagues, partners and contractors, you will support event logistics, helping to deliver safe, welcoming and memorable visitor experiences while ensuring smooth day-to-day event operations. 

This varied and hands-on role will involve supporting event planning and delivery, coordinating staffing and operational arrangements, managing ticketing and customer enquiries, liaising with contractors and stakeholders, , and helping to maintain high standards of health and safety. You will also play a key role in supporting on-site event operations during installation, live event delivery and de-rig periods. 

We are seeking someone with experience of delivering public-facing events, excellent organisational and communication skills, and a passion for creating outstanding visitor experiences. You will enjoy working collaboratively, thrive in a fast-paced environment and be looking for an opportunity to contribute to one of Scotland's most popular seasonal events. 

RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
•    your CV
•    a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
•    a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form

Closing date:             9am on Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Interview date:         23 September 2026
Recruitment Information:    Job description and person specification

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.

Contract type: Fixed-term opportunity of up to 6 months. Contract length will vary depending on the successful candidate's start date, with all contracts ending by 31 March 2027.
Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Location: Edinburgh (onsite)
Salary: £27,366 plus benefits 

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-leading centre for plant science, conservation and horticulture. Home to internationally important living collections, RBGE plays a vital role in protecting plant biodiversity, inspiring visitors and supporting research, education and conservation both in Scotland and around the world. 

We are looking for three Horticulturists to join our team, with opportunities available in our Nursery and Outdoor Living Collections. These roles will support the Edinburgh Biomes programme through the relocation, establishment and ongoing care of nationally important plant collections, helping to protect and enhance our landscapes while contributing to major redevelopment projects. 

You will undertake a wide range of practical horticultural activities, including planting, propagation, pruning, collections care, landscape reinstatement, grounds maintenance and the safe operation of horticultural equipment. Working closely with colleagues across the Garden, you will also help safeguard living collections, support sustainable working practices and contribute to an exceptional visitor experience. 

RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment.

To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
•    your CV
•    a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
•    a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form

Closing date:             9am on Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Interview date:             Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Recruitment Information:    Job description and person specification

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.

About Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading centre for plant science, horticulture, conservation, education, and public engagement. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden for the study of medicinal plants, it attracts around one million visitors each year and holds one of the world’s most diverse botanical collections. We have four gardens in Scotland; Benmore, Dawyck, Edinburgh and Logan.

Through a wide network of national and international partnerships, we pursue our mission to Explore, Conserve and Explain the World of Plants, addressing global biodiversity loss and climate change.

RBGE is funded by Scottish Government Grant-in-Aid and self-generated income, reflecting our dual role as a public institution and an enterprising organisation. The continued growth of commercial activity, philanthropic support, and consultancy work is a key strategic priority for ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.

The Opportunity

With a new Regius Keeper in post, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance & Corporate Services to play a pivotal role in strengthening how the organisational leadership can provide impact in the ongoing development and execution of the Botanics strategy.

This is a strategically critical leadership team role, responsible for ensuring that ambition is matched by affordability, capability and delivery discipline. You will provide authoritative financial stewardship while integrating Finance, Digital, People and Culture into a coherent, high‑performing Corporate Services function.

The remit is broad, influential and evolving. As a trusted adviser to the rest of the Executive and Board, you will bring clarity to complex choices, give confidence over risk and performance, and enable evidence‑led decision‑making that delivers value for money and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Representation

• A member of our Executive and Senior Leadership teams, supporting effective, collaborative leadership and delivery of RBGE’s strategy and operations.
• Lead and develop skilled, motivated Finance, Digital, People and Culture teams and promote efficient, equitable working practices.
• Serve as a Director for RBGE legal entities such as the Botanics Trading Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBGE acting as our commercial trading arm.

Strategy, Finance, and Corporate Planning

• Lead all financial operations, strategic and operational planning, including business and financial planning and performance reporting.
• Support income diversification and work with the Executive Team to identify new revenue opportunities to support our charitable aims.
• Contribute to procurement, planning and delivery of major capital programmes aligned to budget and priorities.

Governance, Risk, and Policy

• Act as Company Secretary, supporting Board and Committee governance and meeting preparation.
• Serve as Senior Information Risk Owner, ensuring compliance with information governance requirements.
• Oversee governance, legal and risk matters, including new ventures.
• Support corporate policy development and maintain awareness of the wider policy.

People and Culture

• Lead an effective people function, continuing to position RBGE as an employer of choice whilst also continuing to deliver our People Strategy through driving workforce planning, skills development, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee our work in health and wellbeing, diversity, culture, and resourcing and retaining talent.

Digital & Technology Services

• Provide strategic leadership for technology, data systems, and cybersecurity.
• Oversee digital strategy, CRM, ticketing, e-commerce, and data governance to enhance the visitor experience.

About You

• Strong financial acumen and ideally a qualified accountant or with equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Strong proven senior leadership in multi disciplinary corporate services, particularly a blend of Finance, Digital, and People & Culture.
• Relevant previous experience e.g. of ensuring effective delivery and outcomes in a large public body/charity such as a heritage body or a visitor attraction, or a university, or similar.
• Strong people skills - excellent leader, including high level people management, and excellent stakeholder communications with an ability to build high performing teams.
• Experience as part of a multi-disciplinary Executive team, with Board-level engagement skills.
• Experienced in the development and monitoring of budgets and business plans.
• A strong background in strategic and operational planning and performance, and knowledge of management information systems. 
• Proficient in external statutory reporting and audit.
• Familiarity with current human resource practices.
• Familiarity with current procurement practices.
• Knowledge and experience of leading/advising effective and transparent governance. 

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via CV and Covering note to applications@fwbltd.com

For further information or a confidential discussion, contact Walker Wares at the same email address or call the Edinburgh office on +44 131 539 7087. Further information on the role can be found at FWB.com.