Preserved Collections Manager

This position offers an opportunity to play a key role  in Kew’s large and globally important  science collections. Reporting to the Head of Collections, the post holder provides leadership and oversight to the Preserved Collections (Herbarium Collections Management Unit, Spirit, Fungarium and DNA and Tissue Collections) to develop and maintain high standards in the management of Kew’s internationally important collections.  This is a vital role in the management of collections that is necessary to meet statutory obligations, sector standards and to ensure compliance with national and international legislation. The post holder will work closely with the Herbarium Curation team and Registrar and Accreditation Manager to ensure material is managed and transferred according to Kew policies and workflows.

This role also oversees the preventive conservation program, which involves managing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) process and team, as well as leading environmental monitoring across all collection spaces. Additionally, it coordinates the monitoring system for other collection managers within the Science Collections.

We are looking for an experienced collection manager with strong managerial skills. In this important role the successful applicant will have experience in managing natural science collections   and a broad understanding of collection best practices, preventative conservation including integrated pest management, and legislation surrounding plant material such as CITES and Access and Benefit Sharing. The post will provide leadership to the herbarium collections management unit overseeing transactions in and out of the herbarium; and to the managers and staff of the spirit collection   (80,000 specimens), Fungarium 1.2 million specimens and DNA and Tissue collections  (over 80,000 specimens).  The successful candidate will have the ability to develop, monitor and adapt collection workflows to effectively and efficiently manage the collections.

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.