The Role
Reporting to a Principal Officer and through them, to the Assistant Secretary General for Heritage
Services and Capital Works Delivery, the Director will have a key leadership role in the OPW's heritage
management structure.
They will lead and manage staff (including scientists, gardeners, interpretative guides and
administrative staff) across all locations under the Director's responsibility. They will ensure that the
gardens are presented to the highest international standards and undertake and supervise research,
produce publications and deliver high quality interpretation and education programmes.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
The duties of the post may include any or all of those listed:
• Managing and implementing Health and Safety including carrying out risk assessments,
producing method statements and other related health and safety documents and making
recommendations when required.
• Motivating staff to ensure the team perform at the highest level and supporting them in
developing their skills in different areas, with a strong focus on nurturing talent.
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Director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, Office of Public Works
• Setting the standards and best practices for Botanical Gardens in Ireland, in reference to
international best practice.
• Collaborating with the whole of Heritage Services and the OPW by sharing knowledge with an
inclusive, plain English approach.
• Engaging with external colleagues across the OPW and government and representing the
OPW on external working groups on topics such as biodiversity, botany, climate change,
horticulture and general interest topics in relation to Flood Relief and Arterial Drainage, climate
adaptation and mitigation, historic landscapes or heritage properties.
• Collaborating with other national and international organisations such as academic institutions,
private gardens and collections.
• Ensuring the best use of the NBG assets and resources to carry out a world class programme
of scientific research centred around the disciplines of taxonomy, systematics and biodiversity
research and in disseminating the results.
• Leading on Ireland's National Herbarium programme of research and specific EU funded
programmes of work, setting a high standard for scientific studies and providing a supportive
environment for staff to contribute to the wider scientific community.
• Contributing to the Conservation of threatened plants through hands on projects and
fundamental research.
• Leading the NBG to undertake work on the biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of plant
resources both independently and in collaboration with others.
• Driving change and innovation including reviewing challenges, finding new solutions and
leveraging new digital tools.
• Collaborating on strategic developments of buildings such as the Turner Glasshouses, the
restoration of the Aquatic House in NBG Glasnevin, and Kilmacurragh House and the
provision of high quality staff accommodation.
• Overseeing the provision of public education and engagement.
• Taking the lead on welcoming visitors and encouraging their engagement with the NBG at
every level through the tour guiding service, school visits, general lecture series, scientific
lecture series and proactive public communications.
• Directing a team of tour guides and encouraging their positive interaction with visitors and
providing leadership on high quality engagement with the scientific work of the NBG with a
wide range of ages, level of education and interest.
• Assisting with the implementation of the Management Plan for the Botanic Gardens including
the programme of restoration and renewal of buildings and plant collections.
• Managing public funds including complying with corporate governance best practice in the
management of public procurement processes.
• Complying with rules on public expenditure and the appropriate management of assets.
• Appropriately allocating both financial and team resources to ensure that the NBG delivers its
conservation, scientific, public education and engagement goals.
• Working with different funding streams and grant arrangements from national and international
partners.
Please note: The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not
an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may be assigned
from time to time.