Chief Executive, Botanic Gardens of Sydney

• Elevate the customer experience of local communities & global audiences
• Drive commercial sustainability & research innovation
• Endowed with rich scientific, cultural and historical heritage

The Organisation
Botanic Gardens of Sydney is founded on a passion for botanical science and horticulture, connecting people to nature, and rich cultural heritage. It encompasses three world-leading botanic gardens, Australia’s premier botanical research institute, and Sydney’s leading outdoor activation precinct.

As Australia’s oldest scientific institution, Botanic Gardens of Sydney are custodians of more than $ billion in state significant scientific, cultural, and heritage collections. Over 700 hectares of prominent State public assets, contributing to significant economic growth, positive community outcomes and highly valued ‘living and preserved’ collections make up the nation’s premier botanical research organisation, the Australian Institute of Botanical Science.

Botanic Gardens of Sydney is also a leading entity within the tourism sector with a focus on engaging international, national, and regional visitors.

Botanic Gardens of Sydney has the goal of inspiring and helping people discover the power of plants and the inherent value they provide to our everyday lives. The organisation is founded on a passion for botanical science and horticulture and enriched by its relationship with Traditional Custodians - recognising that our understanding of plants and their environment is informed by thousands of years of knowledge generated by First Nations peoples in plant taxonomy, ecology, and ecosystem engineering.

The Opportunity
The Chief Executive is responsible for leading the Botanic Gardens of Sydney into the future by advocating for the science, conservation, horticulture, rich cultural heritage, education, recreation, and visitor programs that enrich the lives of our local communities and global audiences. You will lead all aspects of the organisation – working with the Board and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to lead the development and delivery of strategic, corporate and business plans, incorporating a strategic approach to existing and new business opportunities, to ensure that the revenue base is secured and expanded consistent with protecting the integrity and amenity of the three Botanic Gardens and The Domain. You will also oversee the Australian Institute of Botanical Science and pursue botanical, horticultural and other appropriate research programs, while leading the Gardens’ education programs, and managing an integrated portfolio of quality public places, open space, scientific, leisure, and recreation facilities catering for diverse user needs.

About You
The Chief Executive will need to be a visionary and inspiring leader with the proven ability to develop and lead flexible, resilient, customer focused and accountable teams to deliver programs and services within a complex and geographically dispersed organisation. A proven understanding of the contemporary roles of a botanic garden and public spaces, and an understanding of the importance of green space and gardens for the general community, tourism, economic growth and environment will be essential.

Business acumen and project management skills, with a proven ability to optimise and manage fiscal resources including salary and project budgets, resource allocation, planning and reporting in keeping with government financial management guidelines, providing high level strategic advice on diverse multidisciplinary, technically complex, financially significant, and politically contentious matters, will underpin your success. The new Chief Executive will also have exceptional stakeholder engagement skills to ensure the ongoing growth and impact of these iconic Gardens.

Acknowledgment of Country
We honour and respect all Elders and Traditional Custodians of the lands the Botanic Gardens of Sydney stand on and in which they work. We acknowledge the lands as significant historical, ceremonial and traditional trade grounds.

Applications close on Monday 26 February 2024 at 11:55pm

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

• make adjustments to the recruitment process
• offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks

Experience the Power of Plants

Feed your curiosity in the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the meeting places of people and plants, science and seasons, and nature and nurture.

Discover. Learn. Enjoy.