Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• Temporary opportunity for up to 3 years
• Full-time hours (35 hours/week)
• Based at Botanic Gardens of Sydney across Greater Sydney – hybrid working arrangements available
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $129,464 to $142,665 + super

The role

Ready to help shape one of the world’s leading plant collections? As Senior Project Officer – Living Collections, you’ll lead strategic horticultural projects that support conservation, innovation and global collaboration across the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. From acquiring rare species to coordinating propagation programs and navigating biosecurity, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to explore and conserve the world of plants for a better future, starting with a focus on bushfire recovery at the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah.

This role is hands-on and high-impact. You’ll manage complex projects, budgets and stakeholder relationships—locally and internationally—while driving the implementation of our Living Collections Strategy. It’s a chance to combine scientific expertise with project leadership in a truly iconic setting.

This hybrid role offers flexibility while ensuring strong on-site collaboration. You'll work at least three days per week in an approved Botanic Gardens office— our offices are located within the beautiful gardens at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. The successful applicant will be required to physically attend the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah on a regular basis to implement the bushfire recovery project.

For more information read the attached full Role Description.

What you will bring to the role

• Expertise in horticulture, botany or environmental science, with a strong grasp of conservation priorities
• Proven experience managing projects, budgets and stakeholder relationships in complex environments
• Ability to navigate biosecurity and legislative requirements for plant acquisition and movement
• Strategic mindset with a knack for planning, prioritising and delivering results under resource constraints
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences
• Collaborative approach to working across teams and with external partners nationally and internationally
• Confidence in procurement, contract management and reporting to support project transparency and impact

What is an essential requirement:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g. horticulture, environment, science, project management, or related field).
• NSW Driver Licence

About us

Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Damian Wrigley on 0476 667 582 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Project Officer - Living Collections enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via [email protected] or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.