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• Permanent full-time opportunity (35 hours/week)
• Based at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney – hybrid working arrangements available
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $110,266 to $122,058 + super
• 542196

The role

We’re looking for someone who thrives on building relationships that matter. As our Partnerships Lead, you’ll be out there representing the Gardens—pitching new ideas, meeting with potential and existing partners, and bringing projects to life that make a real impact. Whether it’s hosting site visits, developing creative proposals, or working alongside our experts to turn science into powerful stories, this role blends purpose with commercial drive.

You’ll take ownership of the partnerships portfolio from end to end—securing new corporate support, managing travel trade relationships, and ensuring our popular corporate volunteering program runs smoothly. It's a varied and people-focused role where you'll collaborate across teams, juggle competing priorities, and think strategically about how to grow income and support for the Gardens’ bold, green vision.

This hybrid role offers flexibility while ensuring strong on-site collaboration. You'll work at least three days per week in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney office—with occasional visits to our Mount Annan and Mount Tomah sites each quarter.

For more information read the full Role Description: Partnerships Lead.

What you will bring to the role

• Proven experience in partnerships, business development, tourism or sales, ideally within a competitive commercial or CSR/ESG-focused environment.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to identify and pitch compelling opportunities that align with corporate priorities and showcase the value of our horticultural and scientific work.
• Confident and personable, you're comfortable presenting to executives, hosting stakeholders, and delivering persuasive, tailored messages in meetings and informal settings alike.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a broad understanding of business and marketing language to support collaborative proposal development and partnership growth.
• A proactive and organised approach, capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines, while building lasting relationships that deliver tangible results for both partners and the Gardens.

What is an essential requirement:

• Tertiary qualifications in business or equivalent experience with demonstrated business and commercial acumen
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours and on weekends if required.
• Current Australian Drivers Licence.
• Satisfactory criminal history check required.

About us

Botanic Gardens of Sydney, under the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, is Australia’s oldest scientific institution and a custodian of over $1.2 billion in cultural, heritage, and botanical collections. As the premier botanical research institute, we encompass world-leading botanic gardens and Sydney’s leading outdoor live entertainment precinct. We engage international, national, and regional visitors, making us a leading entity in the NSW tourism sector.

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Ben Janeczko on [email protected] using the subject line: Partnerships Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via [email protected] using the subject line: Partnerships Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.