Government Affairs and Policy Manager

Hours of work Full time

Contract Type Permanent

Salary £47,000 - £50,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

Directorate Resources

Location Kew Gardens, Richmond, Hybrid

Closing Date  04/01/2026

In this critical decade for action on the environmental crises, RBG Kew has committed its resources to addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development. We believe nature holds many of the answers, but time is running out.

Our corporate strategy includes providing science-based solutions to the crises, training the next generation, inspiring the public to care about nature, and influencing policy and opinion. We have over 500 scientists and 200 horticulturists working in 100 countries, including the UK, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Kew wants to be the ‘go to’ organisation for advice and evidence on plant science and horticulture. The Government Affairs and Policy Managerwill be part of a busy team at Kew, which leads on UK government relations and outreach, strategic international engagement, our presence at fora like the UN COPs, and thought leadership and policy influence. As a Defra ALB, the team’s impact will be critical if we are to deliver on our wider ambitions.

The team is responsible for leading and coordinating outreach and engagement with a broad range of government stakeholders, UK and international, the positioning of Kew with this audience, identifying opportunities to offer expert advice and evidence, and for wider policy influence, as well as leading on thought leadership and high-profile events and visits, on and off-site. 

Interviews are due to take place on 12/13 January 2026.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please find out more by clicking “Apply".

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.