Director Learning and Community Engagement

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) employs over 240 staff overseeing two beautiful world-class gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

The organisation fosters an understanding and appreciation for plants and the natural world through arts and culture and education programs, world-leading scientific research, plant conservation programs, and promotes health and wellbeing in nature.

The Director of Learning and Community Engagement leads the development and delivery of innovative, worldclass learning, community, cultural, conservation experiences designed to inspire and engage diverse audiences with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. The role leads and develops a large, front-facing functional area with teams at both Gardens’ sites, whilst managing and developing a number of key relationships for RBGV.

What You’ll Do

We are seeking a Director Learning and Community Engagement to lead the further development and implementation of inspiring programs and initiatives that engage and expand audiences across our Learning, Community and First Peoples programming. In this leadership role, you will drive the creation, curation, and delivery of innovative and impactful programs that align with RBGV’s mission and strategic priorities, while also building capacity within a high-performing team. You will provide strategic advice to the Executive Team and foster collaboration across the Experience and Engagement Division, the broader organisation and onsite partners to amplify the reach and impact of our work. With a strong focus on growing audiences and revenue, you will build and maintain effective partnerships with community, government, industry, cultural, and philanthropic stakeholders, and lead RBGV’s engagement representation with national and international networks such as BGCI and BGANZ. This role also oversees budgeting and planning, ensures effective risk management, and contributes to the overall strategic direction of the organisation.If you are a strategic leader who is passionate about learning, community engagement, and cultural connection—and are ready to make a lasting impact in one of Victoria’s most iconic institutions—we encourage you to apply.

What You’ll Bring

Success in this role will see you bring extensive senior-level experience in designing and delivering public programs across education / learning, community engagement, science, and First Peoples storytelling. You’ll have relevant qualifications or equivalent experience, with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, develop innovative programs, and deliver impactful audience experiences. Strong strategic thinking, creativity, and adaptive leadership are essential, along with demonstrated experience in change management, stakeholder engagement—particularly with First Peoples—and aligning content with audience and community needs. Excellent project management, financial oversight, and communication skills will enable you to confidently represent RBGV and drive growth in learning and engagement outcomes.

All other key selection criteria can be found in the position description which is located under the attachments heading on the Victorian Government Careers website.

Working with Us

At RBGV you’ll be part of a nationally recognised organisation that makes a genuine impact on a local and international scale. As an employee you will benefit from flexible working arrangements to assist in creating genuine work/life balance, annual leave loading, access to an Employee Assistance Program and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please visit the Victorian Government Careers website at http://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au.You must submit a recent resume along with a letter (maximum three pages) responding to the Key Selection Criteria as stated in the position description prior to the deadline of end Sunday 13 July.

Applications will only be accepted via the Victorian Government website. Enquiries can be directed by email to recruitment@rbg.vic.gov.au.