Senior Communications Officer - Millennium Seed Bank

Hours of work Full time

Contract Type Fixed Term (FTA)

Contract start date Provisionally 20 February 2025

Contract end date 15 months from start date (approximately)

Salary £38,100 - £43,751 per annum (pro rata), depending on skills and experience [Band D]

Directorate Science

Location Wakehurst, West Sussex, Hybrid

Closing Date  05/01/2025

Utilising your rich history of working in scientific or similar organisations, and forming close relationships with practicing researchers, conservationists and science staff, you will reach out across the Millennium Seed Bank and its partnerships to identify key science stories and craft campaign deliverables that enhance Kew’s reputation as a scientific institution.

The role will utilise the existing tools and resources available across RBG Kew to ensure the timely planning and delivery of high-quality communications content and engagement opportunities. This will include communicating the value and impact of the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership through shaping content for Kew’s external digital channels, media, internal channels, as well as engagement with key stakeholders through events and materials, and subsequently drawing conclusions and implementing learnings.

As a core member of the Kew Science Communications & Engagement team and working closely with the Communications teams at Wakehurst and Kew, you will form a focal point for information sharing and collaboration between press, events, digital and science policy experts. You will also utilise your rigorous planning and decision-making skillset to lead on MSB25 Communications Working Group agenda and minutes to ensure timely delivery of the campaign’s key components alongside a calendar of events and visits.    

Based primarily from the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, you will work on internal and external communications outputs that reflect the incredible diversity of Kew’s research, the species and ecosystems under its care, and the people that make up Kew and its many partners.

Our requirements

We’re seeking an experienced, enthusiastic communications campaign expert to fill an integral role in a cross-departmental strategy marking the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Seed Bank. Acting as the focal contact between a vibrant, diverse team of researchers, collections experts and their international partners across the globe, as well as communicators, policy-experts and fundraisers across Kew, you will help to shape and deliver a campaign that raises the profile of seed science,and its role in protecting plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

You will use your skills as a communications expert, content creative, event manager and project leader to shape campaign deliverables that increases Kew’s reputation among major stakeholder groups, and fosters deep, long-term engagement with the Millennium Seed Bank’s research and scientific resources.

This role is based at Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

About Us

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.