• Lead a national conservation, research and visitor facility helping to protect our unique environment and biodiversity.
• Work in a motivated and professional team with a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds.
• Based at the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Who we are

Australia's natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Parks Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels.

Our work includes:

• Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia .
• Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia - in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving .
• Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans.
• Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation's largest living collection of native plants .
• Innovation in the cross-cutting application of new technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes .
• Facilitating research and science capacity building and education .
• Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's largest living collection of Australian native plants. It's a tranquil setting for walking and spending time with family and friends, and a living classroom for visitors of all ages. We directly contribute to safe-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally. The ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The Ian Potter National Conservatory will open in 2026 and is a significant new attraction for the ANBG.

The Job

• Provide high level leadership and management of the ANBG in accordance with the ANBG Management Plan, including managing key functional areas - horticulture, conservation programs, visitor experience and education services, asset management, emergency management and business functions.
• Manage, mentor and build capability in a team of approximately 50 staff including casual staff and volunteers operating the site 7 days a week with over 550,000 visitors a year.
• Provide strategic direction for the future development of the ANBG's scientific living collection and conservation programs, and the implementation of the ANBG Master Plan, and oversee capital works programs and develop business cases.
• Represent the Director of National Parks to develop and maintain effective partnerships with key stakeholders such as the ACT Tourism industry, National Capital Attractions, Friends of the ANBG, commercial operators, neighbouring institutions, relevant NGO's and government agencies, and other areas of the Department.
• Effectively engage with and represent the ANBG and Parks Australia in the network of botanic gardens throughout Australia, providing leadership on plant conservation issues. Support the governance of the Australian Seed Bank Partnership and represent Parks Australia on the Council of the Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens.
• Build and maintain relationships with First Nations communities and Traditional Owners founded on mutual respect and trust.
• Seek and facilitate new partnership and business opportunities consistent with the Management Plan to generate new visitor experiences, increase visitation and revenue opportunities.
• Seek and facilitate new partnerships and opportunities to grow and enhance the contribution of the ANBG to plant conservation.
• Support the Executive through the preparation of briefings, submissions or other materials, and through the provision of expert advice.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Demonstrated record of achievement in managing high-profile public places or facilities such as a botanic garden, parklands, protected areas or cultural attractions.
• Knowledge of horticultural operations, conservation management, community engagement, tourism and business management.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic plans, managing change and achieving results in an operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing staff, volunteer programs, contractors and commercial operators.
• Experience in developing business cases and managing capital works projects.
• Experience with developing and delivering significant and/or complex multi-stakeholder projects and partnerships and developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships.

Skills and capabilities

• Highly developed leadership, strategic planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead and manage diverse operational teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment to deliver outcomes.
• Highly developed skills in communication, negotiation, influencing and ability to manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective networks, develop collaborations and partnerships with a wide range of external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with peers to achieve outcomes, and to effectively engage with and support executive.
• Ability to manage WHS issues, manage strategic risks and ensure compliance with departmental policies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and analyse complex issues and recommend solutions including well developed judgment and resilience.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively, with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Desirable qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in botanical science, environmental science, horticulture or similar fields.

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.