Head of Horticulture

The Eden Project is an environmental educational charity and social enterprise. Our mission: ‘To demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet’. Our vision: ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’. We’re at a really exciting point in our development and need an exceptional Head of Horticulture to join the Eden Project Senior Leadership Group to help move us forward on our journey to 2030 and beyond and deliver the mission that drives us. We have big ambitions — there has never been a more important time for people to appreciate and care for the planet and each other.

The role

The Head of Horticulture (HoH) will need to be a visionary and inspiring leader driven by a care for the natural world and the desire and ability to lead on the delivery of regenerative horticulture landscapes, programmes and initiatives fit for the 21st century. The role will be responsible for developing the horticulture strategy and leading the horticulture initiatives and team.

Initially the role focuses on steering the direction for the horticultural operations at Eden Project Cornwall which includes directing the horticulture team managers who oversee the management and maintenance of the landscapes, gardens and plant collections. It is vital that this Destination, our HQ and currently our main showcase, presents world-class contemporary horticulture as an exemplar of our work, especially as we expand to new sites and develop new initiatives.

The Head of Horticulture is responsible for developing the horticulture strategy as part of the overall Eden Project strategy. They will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Group and will work with and support other Senior Leaders on horticulture content in initiatives such as: nature recovery projects, science engagement and community and education programmes.

As Eden Project expands, so too will the role as we progress with design and planting of landscapes at new Destinations and develop further initiatives nationally and internationally. Currently two new UK destinations, Eden Project Morecambe and Eden Project Dundee are in development and this role will advise on these projects and over time grow the team to manage these living landscapes. The HoH will also advise on horticultural elements in our growing international projects and initiatives.

Essential requirements and responsibilities:

• Master’s degree in horticultural discipline (or equivalent) preferred
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience within the field of botanical, gardens and estate management and/or commercial horticulture, ecology and/or landscape, preferably a mix.
• Strong decision-making skills; responsibility for directing the long-term vision, strategic direction, medium-and long-term planning, masterplans and team structure
• Strong leadership skills and experience and a supportive, inclusive and visionary style
• Collaborative approach; working with colleagues to represent Eden on the world stage, drawing on and contributing to global expertise, the latest thinking and topical research

This is a critical appointment for the Eden Project, working as part of our Senior Leadership Group to demonstrate, communicate and inspire positive change through the platform of horticulture – an exciting and unique opportunity for you to make your mark, make a difference and to help Eden Project achieve its mission and vision.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage confidential conversations with our recruitment partners Public Leaders Appointments in advance of your application: Anna Jay, MD: anna@publicleadersappointments.com or 07904 236 348.

We are committed to proactively seeking diversity across our organisation to reflect all who we engage with and to provide a broad range of views and perspectives.

Please download or request a copy of the attached brief for further information and full details of how to submit a formal application (we will not consider CV's without a cover letter).

Please also check out our video to the advert here - Head of Hort Advert

• Closing date for applications: 6pm, Sunday 12^th May
• Initial Interviews: w/c 20^th May
• Final Interviews: w/c 3^rd June