Vacancies

About Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) 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 multi-faceted role as a public institution, charity and an enterprising organisation. The continued growth of philanthropic support is a key strategic priority for ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.

The opportunity

RBGE is seeking to appoint an experienced and creative Head of Philanthropy to join the Income Generation & External Affairs (IG & EA) team at an exciting point in the organisation's development. Reporting to the Director of IG & EA, this pivotal role is a member of the organisation’s broader senior leadership team and will lead the delivery of the major gifts function, contribute to the development of strategic planning for the entire organisation and lead the promotion of a culture of philanthropy throughout the entire organisation.

This is an opportunity to shape philanthropy at RBGE, steering the next phase of the transformative Biomes capital campaign from case for support through to delivery while building on the organisation’s award-winning reputation, reach and important mission to develop deeper and more ambitious relationships across its existing supporter base. The successful candidate will work across RBGE to identify opportunities for philanthropic investment, translate its scientific, conservation, horticultural and public engagement ambitions into compelling propositions, and build the long-term relationships needed to secure transformational support. They will bring creativity, judgement and energy to the role, helping to broaden RBGE’s network of supporters and strengthen philanthropy as an increasingly important part of its future sustainability and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the major gifts function, developing a strong culture of philanthropy across RBGE and ensuring fundraising activity supports wider organisational strategy and plans.
• Drive major donor fundraising, identifying, cultivating and soliciting significant gifts from high-net-worth individuals, RBGE Patrons, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners.
• Develop compelling funding propositions, leading the creation of tailored proposals, major grant applications and asks, and judging when and how best to approach prospective donors.
• Develop and grow a strong, diverse and sustainable donor pipeline and steward high-quality relationships with existing and prospective donors, funders, corporate partners and key internal stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership, contributing as a member of the Senior Management Team and identifying creative opportunities to grow philanthropic income.
• Lead and motivate the fundraising team, creating a supportive, high-performing environment focused on achieving income objectives.
• Represent RBGE externally, acting as an ambassador within fundraising networks, events and other external forums.

Person specification

• Significant fundraising experience, with a proven track record of securing major gifts from individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners, including experience of capital fundraising.
• Credibility with major donors, with the confidence and judgement to cultivate relationships, make significant financial asks and successfully progress prospects through the fundraising journey.
• Strong strategic and commercial thinking, able to identify fundraising potential, shape propositions and contribute to wider organisational planning.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to develop effective partnerships with donors, funders, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people-management experience, including successfully managing and motivating fundraising teams.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including compelling proposal and grant writing, confident presentation skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong professional fundraising knowledge, including charity law, Gift Aid, GDPR and CRM/customer relationship management, alongside an interest in natural heritage and the work of botanic gardens.

How to apply

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the leadership of one of Scotland's most respected institutions and play a leading role in supporting its mission to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for the benefit of people and planet.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Kirsten Hendry at FWB on 0131 539 7087 or at applications@fwbltd.com.

Applications should be made by way of CV and covering letter, and submitted by 9am on 16 November 2026 via FWB: 

Head of Philanthropy - FWB.

Full Time (35 hours), permanent, based in Edinburgh
Salary: £65,964 to £72,658, plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits

Join the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of one of the world's leading botanical institutions. Home to four nationally significant gardens, internationally important living collections and ambitious capital projects, RBGE is driven by a vision of a positive future for plants, people and the planet. In this influential leadership role, you will help ensure our estate is sustainable, resilient and fit for the future.

Reporting to the Executive team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across more than 270 acres of estate, 130 buildings and four gardens located across Scotland. From leading major capital programmes, including the Edinburgh Biomes project and renewable energy initiatives, to developing a long-term Estates Masterplan, you'll be at the forefront of delivering world-class facilities that support science, horticulture, learning and visitor experience. 

We're looking for an inspiring and collaborative leader with significant estates, facilities or asset management experience gained in a complex, multi-site environment. You'll bring strong commercial acumen, expertise in managing projects and budgets, a commitment to health, safety and compliance, and a genuine passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with the following:

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

Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.

Closing date:            Midday (GMT) on Friday, 13 November 2026 
Interview date:         Friday, 27 November 2026
Recruitment Information:    Candidate Pack

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), fixed term (18 months), based in Edinburgh
Salary: £27,366, plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-leading centre for horticulture, plant science and conservation. With a rich living collection and a global reputation for protecting plant diversity, RBGE offers a unique opportunity to learn from expert horticulturists while contributing to the cultivation and conservation of some of the world's most fascinating plants.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with experience in botanical horticulture and a keen interest in alpine plants to join our Alpine and Woodland team. This hands-on role will provide the opportunity to develop specialist skills in plant identification, propagation, cultivation and conservation while working across our renowned Rock, Alpine and Woodland Gardens. You'll work closely with experienced colleagues and contribute to the care of internationally significant plant collections, including working in other Botanic Gardens, experiencing seeing plants in their natural habitats and in helping support Alpine conservation initiatives with our Nature Restoration team.

You'll contribute to plant record keeping, departmental projects, alpine show displays and public engagement activities, including writing a monthly blog for the Scottish Rock Garden Club. This is an excellent opportunity to build specialist horticultural skills while contributing to the conservation of alpine plants as part of one of the world’s leading botanic gardens.

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 the following:

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

Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.

Closing date:             midday (GMT) on Wednesday, 2 December 2026 
Interview date:         Tuesday, 15 December 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, fixed term to end June 2028, based in Edinburgh
Salary £49,204 per annum plus generous holiday entitlement, Civil Service pension and other benefits

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) 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 are looking to appoint an experienced Philanthropy Manager to join the Development team at an exciting point in the organisation’s development as we move into the 2nd phase of our ambitious Edinburgh Biomes programme. Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy, the postholder will manage a mixed portfolio of individual, trust and corporate prospects, with a particular focus on securing high-value support for the Biomes programme and RBGE’s core priorities. They will develop and steward key donor relationships, produce compelling and well-researched proposals, and contribute to the achievement of annual income targets and fundraising KPIs.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in philanthropy at RBGE, building ambitious relationships with existing and prospective supporters and identifying new strategic fundraising opportunities aligned with the organisation’s values and ambitions. The successful candidate will bring proven fundraising, relationship-management and event management experience. The successful candidate should have strong influencing and negotiation skills, excellent written and verbal communication, sound knowledge of relevant fundraising practice, and the confidence to engage potential major donors and ask for significant financial support.

To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with the following:

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

Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.

Closing date:                                    Monday 30 November, midday GMT
Interview date:                                 w/c 7 December 2026
Recruitment information:           Job description and person specification

If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application hasn’t been successful on this occasion. No recruitment agencies please.

Full time (35 hours) or part time available, fixed term (until 31 March 2028), based in Edinburgh
Salary £27,366 plus generous holiday entitlement, Civil Service pension and other benefits.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-renowned institution dedicated to plant science, horticulture, and biodiversity conservation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where innovation thrives, and diverse perspectives are valued.

This role is part of the DiSSCo-UK project, funded by UKRI. DiSSCo-UK (Distributed System of Scientific Collections) is a £155 million, 10-year national programme to digitise the UK’s natural science collections, transforming how they fuel world-class research, innovation and public value.

As a herbarium digitiser, you will be joining our enthusiastic and experienced digitisation team. This post will contribute to the digitisation of specimens held in the Herbarium to help unlock Scotland's botanical collections for research and public discovery.

The work will include the following main duties:

• Selecting, databasing, imaging, retrieving and returning specimens to cabinets
• Pre-digitisation curation of folders and specimens
• Quality control of digitised records and images

You will work independently as part of a team. You must have the capacity for meticulous and sensitive handling of delicate specimens in sustained, careful, repetitive work, and be able to critically assess data and image quality.

Good botanical and geographical knowledge would be useful, as would proficiency with standard computing software, Microsoft Office. Experience with data entry is essential, and experience with imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop is also desirable. A degree or equivalent experience in botany or related subject, or a degree or equivalent experience in working with collections such as libraries, archives or museums is desirable.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours or job-sharing. Please specify your preference in your application. 

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 the following:

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

Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.

Closing date:                12pm midday (GMT), 23 November 2026
Interview date:            w/c 7 December 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.