Rainforest Biome (RFB) Team Leader

Full time, permanent position 

£27,345 per annum

The Eden Project is looking for a Rainforest Biome Team Leader.  We are looking for a skilled and ambitious horticulturist who can manage the world’s largest rainforest in captivity and work with an international network of horticultural, ecologists and conservationists. 

Ideally you will have experience in tropical horticulture, a passion for rainforests and/or tropical economic botany.  You will be joining a great team of students, apprentices, horticulturists and volunteers in growing a spectacular tribute to the world’s rainforests. 

Job family definition

Roles within Cultivation and Science job family are dedicated to understanding, developing, curating, protecting and managing Eden's living collection of plants, in an environment where visitors are encouraged to experience and learn about plants, habitats and eco‐systems and their importance in providing a sustainable future.

Role purpose

Plans, develops and supervises the effective propagation, cultivation and conservation of plants, landscapes, ecosystems within Eden; protecting, enhancing and sustaining Eden’s living theatre as a leading horticultural attraction. Developing and delivering planting schemes, implementing maintenance programmes and leading a team of horticulturalists, apprentices, students and volunteers.

Key accountabilities

• Supervises and co‐ordinates the horticultural team in the cultivation, development, maintenance and conservation of areas, projects and events, ensuring plants, landscapes and habitats are maintained, recorded and labeled in accordance with Eden's values, policies and procedures. Actively contributes to Eden’s long and short‐term horticultural planning as well as development of exhibits and projects, considering the environmental strategy, ethical values and educational aspirations of Eden.
• Plans, implements, monitor and evaluates maintenance programmes, ensuring the horticultural team perform the appropriate soil preparation, cultivation, propagation, irrigation, feeding and pest control activities to the required standards in terms of timescales, quality and budget. Assesses and improves horticultural procedures using latest research, knowledge and best practice. Leads research on plant interpretation.
• Allocates, monitors and evaluates the work of the horticultural team and apprentices as well as assigned volunteers and students ensuring the effective management, performance, development and attendance, whilst ensuring all activities are carried out with adequate training and instruction in compliance with company policy and Health & Safety regulations.
• Determines the requirements for horticultural supplies and equipment; researches and specifies their procurement and co‐ordinates distribution, ensuring compliance with Eden's sustainability standards and financial procedures.
• Actively engages and interacts with external professionals, visitors and colleagues, providing professional guidance and imparting specialist knowledge to promote and enhance Eden’s reputation as a leading horticultural attraction.
• Actively promotes the work of horticulture within other areas of the organisation, thereby developing and maintaining the culture of collaboration and co‐operation across all departments and functions. Imparts specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the successful delivery of Eden’s programmes. Provides content for promotional material and publications.