Press Officer (FTC)

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS/KEW GARDENS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading botanical institute in Greater London seeks an experienced press officer passionate about environmental conservation. This role involves driving media coverage and engaging influencers, promoting Kew as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Candidates should have proven PR experience, excellent presentation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage sensitive issues. The position offers a competitive benefits package and a creative work environment, focused on addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working hours

Employee Assistance Programme

Competitive pension

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience in visitor attractions is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive issues.
• Understanding of biodiversity and environmental challenges.

Responsibilities

• Drive media coverage and influencer engagement.
• Identify media opportunities and support colleagues.
• Attend events and travel for communications activities.

Skills

Proven PR experience

Strong presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Crisis communications

Media pitching

Job description

Contract end date: 31 January 2027 (1 year FTA)

A challenging and exciting role for an experienced press officer with a passion for environmental conservation, nature and the importance of addressing the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

As part of the Communications team, the press officer plays an important role in driving media coverage and influencer engagement for Kew Gardens as a leading visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, working across creative programming, commercial events and retail. Whether it’s Christmas at Kew, half-term and summer family fun or large-scale artist showcases, driving awareness and promoting visits to Kew Gardens is vital for generating income for Kew’s vital work.

Reporting directly to the Head of PR and working with a wide range of stakeholders, the role supports the media and external profile of Kew, identifying media opportunities and earned influencer content, through proactive and reactive requests, supporting and advising a wide range of colleagues across Kew, and handling sensitive issues.

The role requires the post holder to attend events and travel to support core communications activity in the UK and take part in a press on‑call rota. This is an exciting time to join the Communications team as we prepare for a bumper year of creative programming including Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, the world’s largest outdoor exhibition of 30 sculptures by this acclaimed artist.

To succeed in this role, the candidate will have proven PR experience as a professional, gained either in house or with an agency ideally working in a visitor attraction. They will have a track record of supporting on high impact PR campaigns from pitching and negotiating with the media, to setting up interviews and guiding filming, as well as working with influencers on an earned basis. The candidate will be confident in managing sensitive issues and supporting on crisis communications where required.

The ideal candidate will be a motivated, a self‑starter, highly organised and comfortable with juggling multiple projects and deadlines. Strong presentation and interpersonal skills will allow the role holder to represent the Communications team with credibility, including delivering clear, engaging presentations in marcomms working groups.

Just as importantly, the ideal candidate will bring a genuine appreciation for biodiversity and a sound understanding of today’s environmental challenges, along with how Kew’s mission fits within the global response to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Interviews are due to take place on 4 February.

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.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply”.

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.