Manager (Research & Horticulture)

Gardens by the Bay; Singapore; On-site; SGD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gardens by the Bay, a premier horticultural institution in Singapore, seeks an experienced horticulture professional to manage orchid collections and oversee related nursery operations. The role focuses on cultivating healthy plant displays, coordinating floral shows, and ensuring high standards across all horticultural projects.

You will work with internal teams and external partners to deliver spectacular displays, with flexibility to support occasional events and off-hour operations as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in Horticulture or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in horticulture or landscape.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience in plant care, propagation, and pest and disease management.
• Hands-on, proactive approach to supporting daily operations.
• Service-oriented team player, flexible and collaborative across disciplines.
• Proficient in AI tools and Microsoft Office.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking and analytical skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work outside normal operating hours for events and installations.

Responsibilities

• Orchid Collection Management: Manage orchid cultivation and maintenance activities for shows and displays.
• Oversee nursery and glasshouse facilities' upkeep and readiness.
• Identify improvements in horticultural practices, especially in orchid flowering management.

Skills

Plant care

Propagation

Pest & disease management

Team supervision

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Degree in Horticulture

Tools

AI tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

An integral part of Singapore's "City in a Garden" vision, Gardens by the Bay spans a total of 101 hectares of prime land at the heart of Singapore's new downtown - Marina Bay. Comprising three waterfront gardens - Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central, Gardens by the Bay will be a showcase of horticulture and garden artistry that will bring the world of plants to Singapore and present Singapore to the World. We have career opportunities for the following and we would like to invite suitably qualified candidates to join us.

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and passionate hands-on horticulture professional to manage back-of-house plant collections and its related horticultural operations. The role involves overseeing the care and maintenance of orchid collections, ensuring optimal growing conditions through appropriate cultivation practices, including watering, fertilisation, and pest and disease management, to produce healthy and floriferous specimens for shows and displays. You will also oversee plant cultivation and nursery management, including propagation, transplanting, repotting and general nursery operations, to support floral displays and horticultural projects. This includes monitoring plant health, implementing appropriate horticultural practices, maintaining records and coordinating the sourcing of plant materials. In addition, the role involves coordinating the planning, preparation, installation and maintenance of assigned floral displays, as well as overseeing the upkeep of nursery and glasshouse facilities. The candidate will work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver horticultural projects, floral shows and events, while ensuring effective coordination of manpower and resources.

Your job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Orchid Collection Management

• Manage orchid cultivation and maintenance activities, ensuring the health, quality and readiness of plant collections for shows and displays.


• Supervise and guide team members in their daily work, providing horticultural guidance and ensuring effective execution of operational activities.


• Oversee the upkeep, organisation and operational readiness of nursery and glasshouse facilities.


• Identify and implement improvements in horticultural practices, particularly in orchid flowering management.

Orchid Display Coordination

• Coordinate the planning, development, installation and maintenance of changing floral displays to create engaging and attractive experiences for visitors.


• Coordinate the procurement and sourcing of plants, horticultural materials, equipment and display props to meet project requirements.


• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners, including horticulture vendors, international organisations and cultural groups, to deliver quality floral displays and events.


• Manage stakeholder coordination and oversee project timelines, budgets and resources to ensure smooth project execution.

Qualifications

• Degree in Horticulture or a related discipline.


• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in the horticulture or landscape industry.


• Sound knowledge and practical experience in plant care, propagation, and pest and disease management.


• Passionate about plants, with a keen interest in horticulture and a willingness to take a hands-on approach in supporting daily operations.


• A service-oriented team player who is flexible, adaptable and able to work collaboratively with colleagues across different disciplines.


• Proficient in the use of AI tools, Microsoft Office and other relevant software.


• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgement and maintain a balanced perspective.


• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with people from different disciplines and backgrounds.


• Good report-writing and presentation skills.


• Willingness to work outside normal operating hours when required, particularly to support occasional landscape installations, events and other operational needs.