Who we are

Australia’s natural and cultural heritage is unique. Our land and seascapes are distinctive, home to plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and to some of the oldest living cultures on earth. These environments and cultures are an essential part of our national identity, and visitors travel from across the country and the world to experience them. The Director of National Parks (the Director) is responsible for six national parks, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, 58 Australian Marine Parks and the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Parks

Australia is the federal park agency that supports the Director, and they are a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department). We work to showcase these natural and cultural wonders to the world, demonstrating to all why these places are so special, and inspiring communities to become more invested in their care and future.

The Science and Australian National Botanic Gardens Branch leads science and conservation planning and policy for Parks Australia, and conducts research in conservation and biodiversity management through a range of programs. We engage in and coordinate diverse research partnerships and ensure First Nations knowledge and innovative solutions are core to our work, enabling us to enhance engagement and embed science into decision-making at all levels. Our work includes:

- Strategic science planning and prioritisation and shaping research partnerships for Parks Australia
- Leading cross-cutting research to support Parks Australia – in areas such as climate change adaptation, nature positive and knowledge weaving
- Providing scientific support for Protected Areas policy and Park Management Plans
- Managing the Australian National Botanic Gardens, home to our Branch and the nation’s largest living collection of native plants
- Innovation in the cross-cutting application of recent technologies and data analytics to meet science and application outcomes
- Facilitating research and science capacity building and education
- Curating national collections of biological data and conserving and protecting plants through systematics research, seed banking and ex situ conservation
- Climate adaption and policy for Parks Australia
- Evaluation and reporting to understand management effectiveness and performance of our parks, gardens and agency
- Data and information systems services for Parks Australia

The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is the nation's most diverse collection of Australian native plants.



We directly contribute to secure-guarding Australia's plant species from extinctions and are responsible for leading, building and sharing knowledge of our Australian flora. The ANBG works closely with biodiversity science programs - the Australian Biological Resources Study, the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, the National Seed Bank, and Biodiversity Informatics - in partnerships for research, for management of physical and digital biological collections, and for management of fundamental national biodiversity data and information accessed nationally and internationally. The ANBG works closely with other Commonwealth parks to support plant conservation initiatives. The ANBG is uniquely placed to provide holistic solutions for national plant conservation, with combined expertise in, and specialist science facilities for: botanical taxonomy, evolution and systematics, seed biology and horticulture. The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra is a leading national institution for the conservation, study, and display of Australian native flora. For more information about us please visit our website.

For more information about us please visit our website.

The Assistant Director leads the Livings Collections & Assets team who are responsible for the in-ground conservation collections and landscapes, facilities, infrastructure, equipment and buildings within the ANBG site. The team consists of skilled horticulturists and trades personnel that work to maintain the national institution as a facility open to the public seven days a week and receiving over 550,000 visitors a year.

The Assistant

Director will be responsible for setting priorities and guiding an operational team to achieve conservation objectives, engaging displays with high-quality horticultural standards, responsive facilities and assets management, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture, and driving innovative approaches and efficiencies. The role is ideally suited to an experienced leader with a genuine passion for practical horticulture, assets and facilities management. This is a rewarding role within a nationally significant institution focused on the science and conservation of Australia flora.



We are seeking an energetic and supportive leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, can effectively manage change, balance priorities, and work collaboratively across the ANBG to deliver shared outcomes and advance the Gardens' mission.

In this role you will be responsible for:

- Leading and managing the Living Collections & Assets team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture and building staff capability through mentoring, training and development.
- Planning and delivering site operations, including annual work programs, budgets, and continuous improvement of horticultural and facilities maintenance practices to ANBG objectives.
- Promoting and ensuring compliance with WHS and emergency management requirements.
- Supporting the development and delivery of capital works programs, as well as procurement and contract management.
- Collaborating across ANBG teams and working with the Assistant Directors for Collections & Conservation Stewardship, Visitor Experience and Education, and Conservation Horticulture & Nursery Management by providing expert horticultural and facilities advice to support the living collection and conservation programs, including input into the design, coordination, and reporting of conservation and horticultural projects.
- Participating in the ANBG leadership team and contributing to ANBG leadership priorities, including implementation of the Management Plan and Living Collection Strategy.
- Ensuring accurate record keepings and maintaining data integrity across systems.
- Managing horticultural infrastructure and environmental systems to meet operational requirements.
- Representing ANBG as a subject matter expert and engaging stakeholders through professional networks and public activities.
- Supporting the executive through the preparation of briefings, submissions or other materials and through the provision of expert advice.

Licence - hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence,

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period.

📌 Assistant Director – Living Collections & Assets (Australia)
🏢 Dcceew
📍 Australia