Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Maintenance Manager
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Maintenance Manager
Maintenance Manager – RBG Kew
Location: Kew Gardens, London (with operational responsibility extending to Wakehurst, West Sussex) Employer: RBG Kew (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
About RBG Kew
RBG Kew is a world-famous scientific organisation, leading visitor attraction, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its exceptional living plant collection and herbarium. Nestled across 330 acres of Kew Gardens, the site—alongside Wakehurst, West Sussex—comprises:
- Over 380 buildings and structures, including 40+ listed buildings used for:
- Visitor experiences
- Scientific research
- Storage of national plant collections
- Administrative functions
Kew’s mission is to "understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth."
The Role
The Maintenance Manager will lead maintenance operations to create a culture of exceptional service delivery, prioritising the visitor experience while upholding the estate’s UNESCO heritage standards.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Oversee and implement the Estates maintenance strategy under guidance from the Chief Engineer.
- Ensure the built environment meets high operational standards, aligning with UNESCO World Heritage Site requirements.
- Manage preventative and reactive maintenance across the Kew estate, including:
- Planned fabric maintenance
- Emergency repairs
- Coordination with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Lead and inspire a departmental workforce, blending direct employees with outsourced contractors.
- Drive change and transformation in maintenance practices, particularly for complex, diverse estate systems.
- Ensure cost-effective delivery while balancing service excellence and long-term sustainability.
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Requirements
Experience & Skills
- Proven leadership in managing large, complex estates (preferably in historical or culturally significant environments).
- Strong track record of team management, including cross-functional collaboration with suppliers and internal partners.
- Expertise in built environment maintenance, with preference for fabric restoration and preservation.
- Ability to strategise and implement change in an ** cresquesite scale**, ensuring alignment with institutional values.
- Commercial acumen to deliver maintenance services efficiently while adhering to budget and quality standards.
Attributes
- Passion for heritage conservation and sustainable asset management.
- Commitment to excellent visitor experiences while balancing operational resilience.
- Proven stakeholder engagement skills, including with scientific teams, heritage authorities, and supply chain partners.
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Benefits
RBG Kew offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Continuous professional development opportunities.
- 30 days’ annual leave (standard entitlement + bank holidays).
- Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wider wellbeing initiatives, such as:
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Attractive pension scheme contributing towards long-term financial planning.
- Employee discount scheme for a wide range of products and experiences.
- Free entry to national museums and galleries.
- Unlimited access to Kew and Wakehurst gardens.
Next Steps
- Informal discussion: Contact Connor Humpage or Michael Hewlett at The Management Recruitment Group.
- Application deadline: Sunday, 12th July 2026 (CV + cover letter outlining your rationale for applying).
- Application submission: Email to connor.humpage@mrgglobal.com.
Select or [view the candidate pack](Maintenance Manager) for further details.
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