Gothenburg's botanical garden is looking for a Garden and design manager - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Gothenburg's botanical garden is looking for a Garden and design manager 

Do you want to be part of a fantastic development journey? Do you have leadership experience and thrive in an operational management role? Then maybe you are the one we are looking for as our new garden and design manager! 

About us 
The botanical garden is a place where the diversity of the plant world is at the center. Gothenburg's botanical garden is a scientific institution with botanical research and horticultural development work at a high international level. During the garden's hundred-year history, plants have been collected on trips around the world and they are now grown in beautiful environments around the garden, in the arboretum and in the greenhouses. Our 600,000 visitors get an experience out of the ordinary that we hope will inspire interest in the diversity of the plant world and the important conservation work. The educational activities are aimed both at schools and educational actors in the form of lessons and education, as well as at the public through exhibitions, screenings and events. Gothenburg's botanical garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe with its approximately 75 hectares and roughly 20,000 species from more than 130 countries. At our workplace, all employees are important parts of the whole and together we work for common goals, our working language is Swedish. 

We are looking for a non-prestigious leader who will be unit manager for one of our two garden units and at the same time have overall responsibility for the design and maintenance level of the entire garden. 

The activities within the unit consist of planning and maintenance of the northern part of the garden as well as parts of the greenhouses, inventory work and work to preserve and develop our plant collections. The unit also participates in public events as well as various exhibitions and training. In the role of unit manager, you have overall responsibility for the daily work in the northern part of the garden, in close cooperation with the unit manager who is responsible for the southern part. You lead, allocate and coordinate the work and place emphasis on the practical implementation. Within the unit there are around 10-20 gardeners (depending on the season) and two scientific curators. 

The position also entails overall responsibility for the design and maintenance of the garden. Gothenburg's botanical garden is in constant change and development, while it is of great importance to guard the cultural-historical heritage and expressions that exist on the site. 

As head of unit, you work in close collaboration with the director of the garden and the management team, and you are an important key player in the continued development work. In 2023, new greenhouses and a visitor center will be built, which will provide great opportunities to showcase our unique plant collections in the future and create an interest in biodiversity. A well-thought-out design and level of care to create experiences for our visitors is central, while the garden's collections and research are at the center of the work. 

Are you the one we are looking for? 

You have worked with design in a botanical garden, larger public garden or equivalent. You have a good feel for gardening. You have at least 5 years of leadership experience, where gardening is preferably the focus. You have an academic education in the field of design and gardening or another specialization that we deem equivalent. In addition, we would like to see that you are used to running and managing projects in the area and that you have good knowledge of MS Office and experience in budget work. It is positive if you have experience from the public sector. You express yourself well in speech and writing, in both Swedish and English. Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability. 

As a manager with us, you need the ability to have an overall perspective while being able to be involved in details. Furthermore, you are solution-focused and have a coaching approach. You are goal- and result-oriented, in your leadership you attach great importance to engaging and involving your employees in order to drive the business forward. Through clear structures and the fact that you are open and responsive in your communication, you create the conditions for a good working environment and cooperation. You like to take on new challenges and work in a constantly developing environment.