Director of Income Generation and External Affairs

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading centre for plant science, horticulture, conservation, education, and public engagement. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden for the study of medicinal plants, it attracts around one million visitors each year and holds one of the world’s most diverse botanical collections.​

We have four gardens in Scotland; Benmore, Dawyck, Edinburgh and Logan.​

Through a wide network of national and international partnerships, we pursue our mission to Explore, Conserve and Explain the World of Plants, addressing global biodiversity loss and climate change.​

​RBGE is funded by Scottish Government Grant-in-Aid and self-generated income, reflecting our dual role as a public institution and an enterprising organisation. The continued growth of commercial activity, philanthropic support, and consultancy work is a key strategic priority for ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.​

RBGE is now seeking to appoint a Director of Income Generation & External Affairs to join its Executive Team at a pivotal moment in the organisation’s development. As RBGE prepares to launch its next Corporate Strategy, this key leadership role will bring together commercial income generation, philanthropy, marketing, communications, public affairs and wider stakeholder engagement to strengthen profile, influence and long-term financial sustainability. Reporting to the Regius Keeper, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of talented teams across the spectrum of external engagement, including engagement with the Botanics Foundation and oversight of the Botanics Trading Company.

• Lead the development and delivery of strategies to drive sustainable growth across both philanthropic and commercial income streams.
• Oversee and strengthen RBGE’s fundraising capability, including major donor engagement and relationships with trusts, foundations and corporate supporters.
• Play a leading role in shaping and delivering the next phase of the Edinburgh Biomes capital campaign.
• Develop and implement integrated communications, marketing and public affairs strategies that enhance RBGE’s profile, influence and public engagement.
• Build meaningful relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, supporters, partners and audiences to advance RBGE’s mission.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Botanics Trading Company as a Director on the Board, identifying and delivering opportunities for commercial growth.
• Develop new income-generating opportunities across retail, catering, events, venue hire, consultancy and commercial partnerships.
• Contribute as a member of the Executive Team to organisational strategy, performance, governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and achievement.
• Support the long-term financial sustainability of RBGE through a balanced approach to income generation, external engagement and commercial development.

• Significant experience of securing philanthropic and/or commercial income and delivering sustainable growth through diverse revenue streams.
• A proven track record of developing and implementing successful marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Experience of building and sustaining influential partnerships across a wide range of stakeholders, including funders, supporters, commercial partners and public sector organisations.
• Success in leading, motivating and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial acumen, combined with strategic thinking and the ability to identify opportunities, assess priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills, with the credibility to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, boards, partners and external influencers.
• Experience of operating at senior leadership level within a complex organisation, including responsibility for budget management, strategic planning and organisational performance.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to inspire confidence, build consensus and represent an organisation externally.
• Experience of both philanthropic and commercial income generation would be advantageous.
• Experience gained within science, education, environmental, conservation or similarly mission-led organisations would be beneficial.