Garden jobs

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.

We’re looking for a confident, proactive, and highly organised Community Programme Coordinator to join the team, and be responsible for planning and coordinating activities, events, and other group offers here at the Likewise Community Hub, Kitchen, and Garden in Camden. 

Please note, we may decide to stop taking applications earlier than the 10th of April if we receive a high number of applicants. Please also ensure you read through the job pack attached before submitting your application.

About the Role:

Job Title: Community Programme Coordinator 

Salary: £29,000

Holiday: 28 days + bank holidays (increasing by 1 day per year of service)

Pension: 5% employer contribution

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Full time

Based: At the Likewise Community Hub, Camden; Flexible; Minimum of 4 days in person, up to 1 day a week remote

About Us 

Likewise is an innovative social care and mental health charity working at the heart of the Camden community, supporting individuals experiencing loneliness, isolation and social exclusion. We provide a range of one-to-one and community offers, and our goal is to create spaces and places where people from all walks of life and with varying levels of need can find belonging, connection, and support navigating life.

At the Likewise Community Hub, we offer a programme of activities, events, and therapies that are free and open to all adults, but with a particular focus on those experiencing social isolation, loneliness, or marginalisation through mental ill health. We want to continue developing into a vibrant, thriving and inclusive wellbeing hub.

About You

Essential experience and skills would include:

- Planning, delivering, and coordinating projects, activities, or events with multiple stakeholders

- Using Microsoft Office, with strong knowledge of Outlook, Excel, and Forms in particular, and being comfortable learning new systems

- Supporting or coordinating volunteers and/or placement students

- Attention to detail, organisational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities and administrative tasks

- Building relationships and engaging with community members, volunteers, or service users

- Working with people who may have varying support needs, including mental health challenges

- Responding thoughtfully to, or managing challenging situations and conflict while maintaining appropriate boundaries

- Building positive relationships with external partners, communicating with care while representing the needs and values of the organisation

It would also be great if you had...:

- Experience working in the charity, community, or health and social care sector

- Experience in supporting and implementing project reporting, monitoring, or evaluation tools

- Some familiarity with housing, social care, or welfare systems, or experience in supporting people to navigate these            

- Experience designing and distributing promotional materials, or using tools such as Canva, MailChimp, etc

- Familiarity or knowledge of adult safeguarding, duty of care, and GDPR principles                    

- Experience using project coordination tools, databases, and/or CRM systems

- Some familiarity with the local area or experience working in the Borough of Camden                                                                 

How to Apply

More information about this role and how to apply can be found in the Job Information Pack attached below. Please read through it before you apply. The deadline for submitting your application form, CV, and your supporting statement with the answers to your written application (see information pack for guiding questions) is 9 am on the 10th of April, 2026. 

Please do not include your name or any other personal characteristics on your CV or supporting statement. This helps us to look at applications anonymously.

For any questions or enquiries related to our recruitment process

View our job information pack for details on how to contact us.

The role

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Operating Officer to support our non-clinical operations.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead governance, compliance and risk management
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory and statutory requirements
• Drive operational performance, efficiency and continuous improvement
• Support delivery of strategic objectives and organisational growth
• Lead business continuity and organisational resilience planning
• Act as Data Protection Officer
• Work closely with Trustees, NHS partners and external stakeholders

This is a key senior leadership role, critical to ensuring safe, effective and sustainable service delivery.

About you

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience in an operational role
• Strong expertise in governance, compliance and risk management
• Experience within a regulated environment (e.g. charity, healthcare, public sector)
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to deliver operationally
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Why join us?

• A supportive, values-led organisation
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day
• Generous annual leave (plus birthday off)
• Pension, EAP and life assurance
• Free on-site parking

Safeguarding & inclusion

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS where appropriate.

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Sydenham Garden is seeking to appoint a Grants, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Lead for two days per week on a fixed term contract for two years. They will join our team of 14 staff and 70 volunteers supporting people living with mental ill-health and dementia in south-east London. 

Position:  Grants, Trusts and Statutory Fundraising Lead 

Contract:  Fixed term for 2 years 

Hours:  0.4 FTE 15 hours per week

Salary: £38,000 pro rata

Annual leave: 33 days including bank holidays pro rata

Location: Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, SE23 2LW or working from home – minimum 1 day a month in office

Application closing date: 9am Monday 13 April 

Interview date: Friday 1 May 

Our Organisation 

Sydenham Garden, based in Lewisham in South-East London, is a special, unique and beloved wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We were established in 2002 and will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2027. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give our primary beneficiaries). People are referred to us from community organisations and health professionals and we use an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers from the local community to reduce social exclusion and prejudice. Each year we work with on average over 250 co-workers and over 70 volunteers. 

About you 

You’ll have experience in building relationships with a range of Trusts, Foundations and statutory funders, drafting compelling funding proposals and demonstrating impact through high-quality reports. You’ll have excellent communication and people skills and feel comfortable both thinking strategically and managing competing priorities day-to-day. Most importantly, you’ll thrive in a small team working to make a big impact for people living with mental ill-health and dementia. 

Why you should join us  

Sydenham Garden is a small team rooted in our local community, and that community is at the centre of everything we do; from the people we support, to the volunteers and neighbours who get involved in our gardens and our work in all sorts of ways. 

We work collaboratively, support each other across different areas of the organisation, and aren't afraid to try new approaches and learn from what doesn't work. We're values-led, we care deeply about our impact, and we hold ourselves accountable to the people and communities we serve. 

We're also confident advocates for our work, and comfortable making the case for Sydenham Garden to funders, partners and the wider community. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Sydenham Garden is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve. 

Sydenham Garden is seeking to appoint a Community Engagement and Fundraising Lead for two days per week on a fixed term contract for two years. They will join our team of 14 staff and 70 volunteers supporting people living with mental ill-health and dementia in south-east London. 

Positions:  Community Engagement and Fundraising Lead 

Contract:  Fixed term for 1 year,

Hours: 0.4 FTE 15 hours per week 

Salary: £38,000 pro rata 

Annual leave: 33 days including bank holidays pro rata

Location: Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, SE23 2LW or working from home – minimum 1 day a month in office

Application closing date: 9am Monday 13 April 

Interview date:  Friday 24 April

Our Organisation 

Sydenham Garden, based in Lewisham in South-East London, is a special, unique and beloved wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We were established in 2002 and will celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2027. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give our primary beneficiaries). People are referred to us from community organisations and health professionals and we use an integrative approach where those with different degrees of mental and physical ill health come together with volunteers from the local community to reduce social exclusion and prejudice. Each year we work with on average over 250 co-workers and over 70 volunteers. 

About you 

You’ll have experience in building relationships with individual donors, increasing income from community sources and engaging and enthusing volunteers and supporters around a cause. You’ll have excellent communication and people skills and feel comfortable both thinking strategically and managing competing priorities day-to-day. Most importantly, you’ll thrive in a small team working to make a big impact for people living with mental ill-health and dementia. 

Why you should join us  

Sydenham Garden is a small team rooted in our local community, and that community is at the centre of everything we do; from the people we support, to the volunteers and neighbours who get involved in our gardens and our work in all sorts of ways. 

We work collaboratively, support each other across different areas of the organisation, and aren't afraid to try new approaches and learn from what doesn't work. We're values-led, we care deeply about our impact, and we hold ourselves accountable to the people and communities we serve. 

We're also confident advocates for our work, and comfortable making the case for Sydenham Garden to funders, partners and the wider community. 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve. 

Head of Finance

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is seeking to appoint a Head of Finance who will be responsible for all finance functions across the BGCI Group, including financial and management reporting, company secretarial, tax, financial risk and controls, project reporting, audit liaison, banking and compliance, as well as the management of a small Finance team located in the UK and Kenya.

Title of post:

Head of Finance

Job Purpose:

Control of finance function

Reports to:

Secretary General

Contract Type:

Job-share, Part-time (3 days a week; potential to go full-time)

BGCI Offices, Kew, London*; Hybrid (working 1 day per week in office)*

Remuneration:

£50-52000 FTE (Actual:  £30-31200) Grade S2.  Salary dependent on level of skills, experience and necessary qualifications

About BGCI

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) is the largest global plant conservation network with over 950 member institutions in more than 120 countries. BGCI plays a key coordinating role, facilitating collaboration between botanic gardens and other conservation organisations, and supports the development and long-term functioning of botanic garden networks. BGCI ensures that local expertise contributes to global impact, and mobilises funding and technical assistance for practical conservation efforts worldwide.

*Please note that our temporary offices in 2026 are in Putney, London

Person Specification

BGCI is seeking to appoint a person interested in a job-share but with the potential to go to full-time if desired. Candidates for this post will have a proven track record working for a conservation or scientific organisation, preferably in plant conservation. The post holder will demonstrate sensitivity to complex, multicultural and multinational institutions and structures.

This post is responsible for Marketing & Communications for Gilbert White’s House & Gardens. You will plan, create and deliver an annual plan, working closely with departments, management and trustees.

The aim being to promote our visitor experience, events, education and trading activities, alongside a regular spotlight on our strategy, values and impact as a charity.

The focus of this role will be to increase our income generation and expand our voice in support of the natural world. This will be achieved through an increase in visitor numbers, event bookings, educational bookings, memberships, partnerships and increase in our trading income. You will have proven experience, experience of working in a public facing organisation, and an interest in the environment, heritage and museums. When in post you will have the opportunity to be a key part of the implementation of our new strategy launched in this our 70th anniversary year.  This is initially focussed on ensuring that our image, offer and impact is relevant to the 21st century, audience development and raising awareness of  the key theme of our work - the natural world.

Key Responsibilities As a small independent museum this role offers an opportunity to take responsibility across all elements of the marketing and communication portfolio. This means that you will be hands-on in its delivery working closely with other departments to ensure a proactive and timely approach to developing, maintaining and boosting our image. In this stand-alone role you will primarily be responsible for:

• Leading the development of our annual Marketing & Communications strategy and implementation plan across all channels. Ensuring that within your role sustainability is a key theme in selecting materials, use of online resources and more generally in our external image.

• Planning  and supporting with the wider team with the marketing and communications associated with events, fundraising campaigns, membership programmes etc. to meet specific aims such as attendance, supporter growth and membership expansion.                                                                                                                                             

• Support the creation of a ‘voice’ for the charity that reflects our values and creates content in all forms that is accessible and relevant to the public. This will include working with the Collections Manager to support the development of museum displays, signage, literature and other outputs relevant to our strategy.

• Leading our communication channels with content creation, planning and execution of its delivery.  To include our website, social media, LinkedIn, digital advertising, newsletters, local magazines, leaflets, posters, brochures, signage etc  Keeping material and content up to date.

• Managing a small delegated budget in coordination with the General Manager to meet the key aims of the charity and be responsible for reporting on it.  You will liaise and engage with external agencies and suppliers, project managing their work and final output.

• Championing  our charity branding and consistent presentation of printed and online materials produced by or for us. To include supporting the team in the design and copy writing new materials and update existing materials.

• Work with the Funding & Development manager to ensure that our impact as a charity is regularly shared and our voice in the sector is heard to support our development plans.

• Responsibility for an up-to-date image and video library for use by all members of the team.  This includes an ability to take photos and videos for immediate use in our communications e.g. social media.

• Liaising with the press in the form of printed, TV,  radio and podcasts.  To coordinate visits, provision of content and arranging with the wider team what is required to ensure quality input.

• Responsibility for marketing performance analysis and reporting, using analytics to improve performance and reach to inform our wider operations and future marketing and communications strategy.

Other Responsibilities As a member of a small team you will be required to support, as necessary, the wider operations of the charity.  This includes but is not limited to;

• Hands-on working with our marketing and communications tools including, but not limited to, WordPress website, Canva, Capcut, MailChimp, Microsoft Office and knowledge of CRM databases for campaign work.                                                 

 • Monitor and record our presence in the wider media, online, with influencers and on TV and radio etc.  Working with stakeholders to protect our reputation and responding swiftly to issues.

• Manage the GDPR of marketing and communications including opt-ins, image consent, data retention etc.

• Attend as a representative of the charity our own exhibitions and events, in order to understand in depth our work, record, gain feedback and develop relationships with visitors and our supporters. 

 • Network regionally to develop relationships, promote sector collaboration and more to ensure we remain relevant and up to date in our marketing and communications.

• Act as a duty manager on rota to support the daily operations of the museum.

The Candidate This is an excellent opportunity to take the lead for Marketing and Communications in a small independent charity, which whilst based in rural East Hampshire, has a reach well beyond our boundaries due to the fame of Gilbert White.  We welcome visitors and attract attention not only nationally but also internationally. You will have:

• Proven experience of developing, planning and executing marketing and communication strategies,

• Excellent digital skills, including managing social media and website, graphic design and experience of content management systems.  Knowledge of SEO.

• Strong copywriting and storytelling skills able to plan, write and edit copy for diverse audiences.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to network with everyone from the public to key stakeholders and representatives of sector bodies associated with our work.

• Experience working with external suppliers such as designers, film makers and web developers.

• Experience of handling media enquiries and generating press coverage.

• Able to work independently yet collaboratively across all departments with demonstrable experience of managing a diverse workload; being able to prioritise tasks and work under pressure.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills including excellent attention to detail and effective time management.

• Experience working in the not-for-profit and/or environment/conservation/heritage sectors.

• Knowledge of data protection best practice.

Whilst a full driving licence is not essential public transport to our location is very limited and given the nature of the role to liaise with partners and represent the charity an ability to undertake travel across the area to for meetings will be an advantage.

Working Hours and Salary

This role can be adapted to suite those looking for a career development opportunity, those seeking a more flexible approach to working life as a parent/carer, or those seeking to step back from a full-time career for whatever reason. What we ask for in return is a passion and dedication to ensure that we are recognised and our voice is heard thereby attracting visitors, supporters, partners and funders who share our values.  £28-32,000 (pro-rata) per year based on experience, with the flexibility to offer a full-time  or part-time role again dependent on experience. Some home working can be considered. Occasional evening and weekend work required.

You will work within the values which lead our practice:

• Being inclusive and welcoming to all,

• Connecting with those that journey in the natural world,

• Educational in what we share with others,

• Seeking a sustainable way of doing our work.

The position is permanent and will be based in Selborne, East Hampshire.   

About Us Gilbert Whites House & Gardens offers a window into the origins of the science that underpins the study of natural history through the lives of three explorers whose curiosity led to a deeper understanding of the world we live in. 

• Our vision is to: To inspire journeys of discovery in the natural world to make better lives for people and the planet.   

• Our mission to create a place where everyone can connect with nature and learn from explorers of the natural world, showing the way to a sustainable future, collaborating widely and, following in the footsteps of Gilbert White, sharing our passion to observe and record nature.

The ‘Natural History of Selborne’ has been continuously in print since its first publication in 1789 and is reputedly the fourth most published work in the English language.  Written by Gilbert White it has contributed to the fields of ecology (the natural science of the relationships among living organisms and their environment) and phenology (the timing of biological events in relation to climate) ever since. He undertook his scientific observations in the small rural village of Selborne and this work has since inspired others to observe, enquire and record nature to understand the relationships that exist within our environment.  Charles Darwin wrote that he  ‘stood on the shoulders’ of White when he came on ‘a pilgrimage to Selborne’ as a young man in June 1857 David Attenborough wrote that Gilbert White was ‘A man in total harmony with his world.’ Introduction to Selborne, 1977 This unique historical manuscript is today housed in the home where Gilbert was born in 1720 and later lived for 66 years. The curation of this heritage home and its grounds was made possible by a generous donation from the Oates family, supporting a trust which purchased the property to establish a library and museum dedicated to natural history that opened in 1955.

The museum is now in its 70th year celebrating the lives of all three explorers of the natural world: Gilbert’s studies in Selborne in the 1700’s, Frank’s work in Africa and Central America in the mid-1800s and Lawrence’s famed contribution to the Scott expedition to the South Pole in 1912. Together they are celebrated through their original drawings, writings, specimens and artefacts housed in our galleries.  They provide an insight over three centuries to the curiosity that contributed to our understanding of nature, our environment and the climate change we are currently witnessing. Today the UK is recognised as one of the least nature connected and most nature depleted countries in the world.  Our renewed strategy is to ensure that the legacy that we curate is accessible, relevant, educational and inspirational for future generations. Our aim over the coming five years is to update the interpretation of our collections and heritage assets, expanding the ‘story’ of our explorers to the 21st century, showing the importance of all of our relationships to the natural world in order to inspire thought and change.  The goal being to create a new narrative as a Museum of Natural World at the home of Gilbert White & The Oates Collections. 

The Organisation

The Royal Parks (TRP) is a charity created in March 2017. We manage over 5,000 acres of diverse parkland, rare habitats and historic buildings and monuments in eight Royal Parks across London. These are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park, St James’s Park, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

We also manage other important public spaces, including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our eight Royal Parks and other iconic green spaces are among the most visited attractions in the UK with tens of millions of visits every year.

We are now looking for a Horticultural Curator to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working 36 hours per week.

The Benefits

• £48,000 - £51,000 per annum depending on experience
• 26 days' annual leave plus public holidays, increasing to 29 days after 3 years’ service
• Pension scheme (3% employee contribution; up to 10% employer contribution)
• Hybrid/agile working options
• Private medical insurance and healthcare cash plan
• Employee assistance programme and access to mental health first aiders
• Learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Offices in a beautiful location

This is an unmissable opportunity for a high-calibre horticultural professional who has managed curated public landscapes and possesses broad plant knowledge to join our iconic charity organisation.

You’ll have the rare chance to influence horticulture on a remarkable scale, leaving a visible and lasting mark on more than 5,000 acres of parkland, historic landscapes and public spaces.

What’s more, you’ll join an organisation that values both professional growth and personal wellbeing, with learning and development opportunities, a supportive team, and offices in a beautiful location.

So, if you’re ready to help guide the future of horticulture across these cherished sites, read on and apply today!

The Role

As a Horticultural Curator, you will support the development of beautiful, resilient and biodiverse landscapes across The Royal Parks.

Specifically, you will deliver one of our key strategic objectives to ‘Conserve and Enhance’. This will involve five key themes: everyday wonder, creating iconic horticulture, diverse planting, respecting heritage, and a sustainable future. More information about each of these themes is available when you select the apply button.

Working closely with our eleven Head Gardeners, you will support horticultural projects across the parks through both practical and planning input, ensuring planting schemes respond to heritage, climate change and biodiversity challenges.

You will help source plants from a diverse range of nurseries, support procurement planning for larger projects and ensure new plantings deliver the best outcomes for people, nature and long-term landscape sustainability.

Additionally, you will:

• Manage and issue horticultural guidance documents and support quality standards
• Oversee and administer the Expert Horticultural Counsel volunteer group
• Support the Head Gardener team with plant sourcing and horticultural diversity across the parks ensuring each park has its own style and identity without duplication
• Contribute to Landscape Character Assessments and Park Management Plans
• Support the development of National Plant Collections in collaboration with Plant Heritage and the Head Gardener Team

About You

To be considered as a Horticultural Curator, you will need:

• Experience working at management level in a curated landscape garden setting that has a wide breadth of plant groups
• Demonstrable experience working in spaces open to the public
• Experience curating a broad range of plant groups
• Experience writing copy to explain and communicate changes and evolution of horticulture for media, press and PR interpretation and fundraising material
• Broad knowledge and understanding of horticultural plant diversity, its display and curation, and how to interpret it to visitors
• Knowledge of the UK and, in some cases, European nurseries
• An understanding of the sensitivities involved with evolving planting styles
• Wide reaching networks through plant committees and industry bodies to enable collaboration and best value for the charity

Other organisations may call this role Botanical Curator, Garden Curator, Parks Horticulture Manager or Head of Living Collections.

We want to put everyone in the best possible position to succeed and use Recite-me accessibility software. At the top of the application page, there is an “Accessibility Tools” button which you can use to complete the application form in a way that works for you. If you think that you may need more support to complete our application process, please do get in touch.

The Royal Parks is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Please visit our website to find out more on our approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

So, if you are interested in this unique opportunity as a Horticultural Curator, please apply via the button shown. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives?

Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to ensure our residents have safe, good‑quality homes. We work closely with service staff to identify and complete repairs, carry out ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and prepare empty homes for new residents.

We operate across West Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Horsham and Crawley, which provide 24‑hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25. We also manage several larger shared houses (typically 4–8 residents) through our Transitional Housing teams, supporting young people on their journey to independence.
In total, the team helps maintain safe homes for approximately 300 residents across the county.

As a Maintenance Worker covering sites across West Sussex, you will take on a hands‑on role combining practical maintenance tasks with caretaking responsibilities. You will help create and maintain safe, welcoming, and psychologically informed accommodation for the people we support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive maintenance, caretaking, and cleaning service to ensure safe, welcoming, and psychologically informed accommodation.
• Carry out day‑to‑day maintenance across our West Sussex sites, with occasional support to other housing schemes.
• Complete maintenance, cleaning, repair, and redecoration works within agreed timescales, delegating tasks where appropriate.
• Perform or delegate general caretaking and cleaning duties, including cleaning communal areas, litter‑picking, and waste removal.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.

We’re looking for a someone with a positive, flexible attitude and a genuine desire to contribute to young people’s wellbeing.

Experience and Knowledge

We are searching for someone with:

• Strong maintenance experience across a range of trade or repair tasks, including delivering high‑quality maintenance and decorating work
• Experience working in supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and resident wellbeing
• Good understanding of health & safety requirements and compliance processes
• A proactive, organised approach to workload and prioritisation

Qualifications and Training (Desirable)

It would be beneficial, though not essential, if you have:

• City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in one or more maintenance skill areas
• Manual handling training
• Training in handling bodily fluids
• Boundaries training
• First Aid training

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 5 April 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

Open to applicants looking for full time (37.5 hours per week); or part time, working morning or afternoon, with number of hours tbc by mutual agreement and business need.

Our Facilities team works hard to ensure that every guest visiting Woodrow has a safe and memorable visit. You will be working alongside the wider team to maintain all buildings, including our Grade II listed Manor House and Leisure Centre, and the outside grounds and activity areas, to ensure the site is welcoming, tidy and safe for all. You will assist the Facilities Manager in ensuring we remain compliant with relevant Health & Safety legislation; and will be involved in various duties that contribute to the wider success of the Centre and London Youth. 

What you will be doing 

The Facilities Assistant provides logistical and maintenance support for the Woodrow estate and holds the following core responsibilities. This is not intended as an exhaustive list, and the job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of our centre, as well as the personal development needs of the post holder. 

Grounds upkeep: 

• General upkeep of the 26-acre estate grounds e.g. pruning, mowing, planting, tidying gardens. 
• Keeping grounds, paths and hard surfaces safe and free of ice, snow, leaves, weeds, etc. 
• Maintaining the 3G astro pitch, cycle circuit and outdoor activity areas.

Building maintenance: 

• Undertake day-to-day minor repairs, e.g. patching, painting, leaky taps, hinges, caulking, etc. 
• Undertake cyclical / seasonal jobs e.g. clearing gutters, drains, drain gratings, etc. 
• Support with biomass boiler maintenance and receive woodchip deliveries. 
• Support with basic utilities issues as they arise, e.g. heating, plumbing, electrical, etc. 

Health and safety: 

• Undertake routine safety/compliance checks of all facilities including, among other things, legionella temperature aduits, emergency equipment inspections and tests, etc. 
• Support the FM with risk assessments and work procedures relevant to the role. 
• Maintain accurate records of all work carried out using systems in place for auditing. 

General duties: 

• Basic joinery, carpentry and build projects done in house, under direction of the FM. 
• Supervise outside contractors to ensure all jobs are carried out to agreed standards. 
• Supervise corporate volunteer groups who support us with gardening or build projects. 
• Support with setup and occasional on-the-day attendance at various events. 
• Undertake other duties as reasonably requested by London Youth's management that ensure the ongoing success of the charity and delivery of excellent customer experiences. 

What you bring to the role 

Experience, Knowledge & Skills 

We do not expect candidates to have expertise in all areas, but at a minimum experience of minor buildings repairs and maintenance and groundskeeping work is essential to this role. Training will be provided to address some gaps where necessary and relevant. 

• Experience with grounds maintenance including tree and lawn care, gardening, etc. 
• Experience of maintenance in heating, plumbing, electrical systems. 
• Demonstrable good practical DIY skills, including decorating, joinery, carpentry, repairs, etc. 
• Experience using power and maintenance tools, including small tractor with mower, jigsaws, strimmers, etc. 
• Demonstrable understanding of Health & Safety regulations relevant to this type of role; the importance of compliance, evidencing and contributing to this. 
• Hold a good level of fitness and able to work outside in variable weather conditions. 
• Experience of conducting regular compliance checks, recording and reporting on them. 
• Able to use digital systems for record keeping, including Microsoft Office and various apps. 
• A current driving licence (tractor experience is also desirable).

Qualifications in the use of a chainsaw, power tools, tractor driving, pool plant are desirable. 

Attributes and Behaviours

• Someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys getting things done. 
• Customer centric mindset and a firm commitment to customer excellence and safety. 
• Able to quickly establish a rapport and build effective relationships with a wide range of people. 
• Composed demeanor and calm under pressure, able to dynamically prioritse and problem solve. 
• Keen attention to detail, following procedures and recording actions reliably and consistently. 
• Able to work independently, demonstrating proactivity and initiative. 
• Collaborative team player with a willingness to work effectively with others. 
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude, growth mindset and keen willingness to develop. 
• Willing to both give and receive direction from others. 
• Impeccable work ethic with a practical, flexible, and dynamic approach to work. 
• Absolute commitment ot London Youth's principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. 

You will be able to demonstrate our values of being: 

• Ambitious 
• Collaborative 
• Inclusive 
• Accountable 

Why work at Woodrow High House

• Health Care Cash Plan to help cover your healthcare essentials. 
• Free access for you and your family to the Employee Assistance Programme. 
• Free onsite parking. 
• Branded quality uniform provided. 
• Free access to the 'Headspace' app for you and your family. 
• Free access to the Charity Mentoring Network, as a mentee or mentor. 
• Free tea and coffee available in the 'Tea & Coffee Bar'. 
• Free meals provided whilst on duty when the kitchen is serving young people in residence. 
• Magnificent location on a historic estate, surrounded by nature. 
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• You'll be working with a fantastic team of passionate colleagues across London Youth. 
• An outstanding culture and ethos where staff and visitors enjoy, challenge, and achieve. 
• Occasional supply of sweet - sometimes savoury - always yummy - treats are guaranteed. 
• You will be making a difference to the lives of young people! 

Organisation: Life for a Life Memorial Forests
Location: Oldham (in person)
Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days, including some weekends
Pay: £27,976 per annum (£13.45 per hour) 
Start Date: April–May 2026 (expected)

About Life for a Life Memorial Forests

Life for a Life Memorial Forests is a UK charity dedicated to creating living memorials through the planting and care of trees. Our forests provide peaceful spaces for remembrance, support biodiversity, enhance green spaces, and benefit local communities. Working with us means being part of a team that makes a tangible difference to the environment and the lives of the families we support.

We are looking for team members who are passionate about nature, enjoy working for a charity, and take pride in contributing to projects that benefit both people and the planet.

Full Job Description

As part of our Grounds and Woodland Team, you will undertake a diverse range of practical responsibilities to ensure our memorial forests are accessible, well-maintained, and thriving ecosystems. The role requires balancing environmental stewardship with compassionate support for visiting families.

Key Responsibilities

Memorial Forest Maintenance
Carry out seasonal tasks including grass cutting, meadow management, hedge cutting, and tree pruning. Daily maintenance tasks include planting medium to large trees and caring for them over time, as well as installing memorial benches and plaques.

Memorial Tree Dedications
Planting and preparing the memorial trees, and assist families during tree dedication ceremonies, offering guidance and respectful support during sensitive occasions.

Planting and Conservation
Plant trees and manage woodland areas in line with the charity’s environmental objectives and long-term sustainability plans.

Public Engagement
Interact professionally with visitors, explain the charity’s mission, and provide assistance where required.

Health and Safety
Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with current health and safety legislation and best practice.

Equipment Management
Operate and maintain groundskeeping tools and machinery safely and efficiently.

Collaborative Projects
Work alongside volunteers, families and community groups during planting events and engagement activities.

Adaptability & Responsive Working
This role requires the ability to respond positively to changing priorities. Daily tasks may need to change at short notice due to weather conditions, urgent site issues, health and safety concerns, or family visits. The successful candidate must be flexible, calm under pressure, and able to adapt their workload accordingly while maintaining high standards.

Please note that this role is physically demanding due to the practical nature of the work and involves working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

As a public-facing organisation, we expect all staff to treat colleagues, visitors, and the environment with respect. Life for a Life Memorial Forests is deeply embedded within the communities we serve, and successful applicants must uphold our values and maintain the charity’s reputation at all times. High standards of workmanship, reliability, and personal conduct are essential.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Have excellent verbal communication skills
• Be confident interacting with members of the public, including during sensitive situations
• Demonstrate a proactive, problem-solving attitude
• Be adaptable and able to adjust plans when priorities change
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a small team
• Take pride in delivering high-quality practical work

Essential Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must confirm that:

• You hold a full, clean manual driving licence
• You are confident driving a medium wheelbase, high-roof van (Additional training available if required)
• You are comfortable towing a trailer for transporting machinery (Training can be provided)
• You can reliably travel to our yard in Royton, Oldham (typically 8am or 9am starts)
• You are willing to work a 5-out-of-7 working pattern, including regular weekends
• You are comfortable working outdoors in most weather conditions

Experience ​and knowledge of working on land-based activities, managing woodland or previous experience in a related field, and experience with tree planting, pruning, and general landscape maintenance are desirable.​

If you are passionate about nature, compassionate toward others, and looking for a practical role where your work genuinely makes a difference, we would love to hear from you.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Are you an experienced maintenance professional looking to step into a senior role? Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives?

Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to ensure our residents have safe, good‑quality homes. We work closely with service staff to identify and complete repairs, carry out ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and prepare empty homes for new residents.

We operate across East Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Eastbourne and Hastings, which provide 24‑hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25. We also manage several larger shared houses (typically 4–8 residents) through our Transitional Housing teams, supporting young people on their journey to independence.
In total, the team helps maintain safe homes for approximately 180 residents across the county.

We are recruiting for a Senior Maintenance Worker to supervise a small team of Maintenance Workers across East Sussex. This is a hands-on role, combining practical maintenance tasks with day‑to‑day staff supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervising maintenance staff, offering constructive feedback, coaching, and support
• Providing a comprehensive maintenance, caretaking, and cleaning service to ensure safe, welcoming, psychologically informed accommodation
• Carrying out day‑to‑day maintenance across our sites in East Sussex, and occasionally supporting other housing schemes
• Completing maintenance, cleaning, repair, and redecoration works within agreed timescales, and delegating tasks where appropriate
• Performing or delegating general caretaking and cleaning duties, including cleaning communal areas, litter‑picking, and waste removal

 If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.

We’re looking for a someone with a positive, flexible attitude and a genuine desire to contribute to young people’s wellbeing.

Experience and Knowledge

We are searching for someone with:

• Previous supervisory or team‑leading experience, with the ability to organise and direct a small team effectively
• Strong maintenance experience across a range of trade or repair tasks, including delivering high‑quality maintenance and decorating work
• Experience working in supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and resident wellbeing
• Good understanding of health & safety requirements and compliance processes
• A proactive, organised approach to workload and prioritisation

Qualifications and Training (Desirable)

It would be beneficial, though not essential, if you have:

• City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in one or more maintenance skill areas
• Manual handling training
• Training in handling bodily fluids
• Boundaries training
• First Aid training

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 5 April 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged. 

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

HEAD OF TRAINING AND IMPACT
Salary: £50,000–£55,000 (subject to experience)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full time, 9am–5pm, hybrid with minimum 3 days in the office, or on site at projects in prison, or in the community.
Location: Our Head Office is in Herne Hill, SE24 London
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. The closing date is Friday 3 April at 09:00am.

ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY

The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.

Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.
What makes The Clink unique is our post-release support and mentoring programmes that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.
The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.

Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women at HMP Downview and also in additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni in front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.
More information can be found on our website and social media channels

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Head of Training and Impact is a vital and high-profile role within the organisation, responsible for overseeing the implementation of all training projects at The Clink Charity across our portfolio, both in prisons and out in the community, evaluating the outcomes and impact of our work for our beneficiaries.

This is a broad and varied role allowing the incumbent to work across catering, hospitality and horticulture training projects, delivering nationally accredited and high calibre City & Guilds qualifications to vulnerable learners.
Having oversight of the projects, and working closely with our team of expert project leads in our restaurant, bakery, gardens and in our youth café of South London, this role offers the opportunity to develop exceptional training programs, rigorous quality assurance processes, and reflective practice in evaluation work.

As we scale our youth projects to a second site in Guildford, this role also comes with the wonderful opportunity of mobilising a brand new project to meet the needs of a NEET community of 16–25 year olds in a café based at Guildford County Court.

The Head of Training and Skills will onboard referral partners, design the delivery program and impact framework, and work alongside a skilled support team to ensure the success of the site, with a view to opening more of these projects in 2027.
If you are committed to the mission of The Clink Charity to reduce reoffending by changing attitudes, transforming lives and creating second chances, and you have great experience and passion for using education, skills and training to be the tool to generate this rehabilitation, we want to hear from you.

A LITTLE ABOUT YOU

You could be a great fit for our Head of Training and Impact role if you bring a strong background in hospitality and a passion for developing others. Perhaps you’ve led hospitality training in a college or cookery school, delivered City & Guilds qualifications within an FE setting, or built your career as a Chef or hospitality professional in a busy restaurant, hotel or catering environment.

You may have combined industry experience with teaching, or progressed from the kitchen into education and leadership. We welcome applications from a wide range of professionals across the hospitality and training spectrum who are ready to use their expertise to drive quality training, inspire our learners and shape meaningful outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and line management

• Work with the CEO, ELT and Board to achieve The Clink’s mission, vision and strategic objectives.
• Lead the design and implementation of a skills and training strategy which delivers the agreed vision and goals, and to communicate its effectiveness to project leads via KPIs, targets, and regular briefings.
• Lead the design and implementation of effective and robust systems and processes for the operational delivery of training programmes in achieving required delivery outputs.
• Lead on the embedding and implementation of an effective Quality Assurance programme for all project delivery across the Charity.
• Provide line management support for the programme leads in the Restaurant, Bakery, Gardens and Café, providing wider leadership to the staff team on all matters connected to delivering training and measuring the outcomes and impact of our work.
• Line manage the Data and Compliance Manager and support him with preparation of data driven insights informing strategic decisions.
• Conduct 1:1s with your direct reports, manage appraisals and oversee performance management processes.
• Ensure the learning and development needs of all delivery staff are met.

Project delivery

• Oversee all project delivery work at The Clink Charity, ensuring consistent, quality delivery and effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all projects.
• Manage the recruitment, training and development of our training staff continuously reflecting on improvements to the roles that can more effectively achieve project outcomes.
• Own the design and implementation of our work based on insight and learnings, lead on reviewing existing services and assessing new services or approaches.
• Make operational delivery decisions to ensure quality projects and provision – oversight of logistics, staffing, and resource management.
• Provide cover and support for staff delivering projects across our portfolio as/when needed.
• Ensure the CPD needs of staff delivering projects are met – including tracking completion of IHASCO courses for mandatory training.

Qualifications, assessing and verification

• Act as the lead link to City & Guilds for the delivery of the charity’s training courses across all projects ensuring that the content of the training programmes enables learners to achieve their qualifications and meet the high standards of City & Guilds NVQs.
• Work with the project leads on preparing portfolios for hospitality, catering and horticulture projects ready for assessment and verification.
• Oversee all verification of these courses. Act as one of a team of IQA’s for The Clink Charity and facilitate the EQA (External Qualification Assessor) visits, and HMPPS/HMI inspections across all sites.
• Host standardisation meetings with colleagues to build a collaborative training culture.
• Regularly monitor qualification outcomes against targets.

Monitoring, evaluation and insight

• Work with the project team in prisons and in the community to develop measurement and evaluation processes to assess the impact and outcomes of The Clink’s training programme, inform future decisions about programme development, and enable robust reporting to stakeholders.
• Attend quarterly reporting meetings with the MoJ to share the outcomes of our projects, preparing reports for those meetings and working with colleagues at New Futures Network who monitor our work for the MoJ.
• Regularly review impact methodology and implementation to ensure The Clink’s impact is measured and demonstrated in the most effective way, showing the full impact of our programmes.
• Develop efficiencies in collecting and analysing data.
• Be impact-driven and use data and results to ensure the planning and delivery of high-quality programme to drive continuous improvement.

Safeguarding

• Champion safeguarding in all the work that you deliver in and out of prisons, ensuring processes are adhered to and a culture of safeguarding is sustained throughout the organisation.
• Act as a DDSL – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Approve updates to related policies and procedures annually.
• Ensure all staff working in our projects are appropriately trained in safeguarding practice at The Clink Charity.

New business, income generation and programme development

• Lead on strategic planning for delivery and programme development across all sites, seeking opportunities to grow/scale our impact by exploring new opportunities with our partners.
• Build and develop relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including MoJ and HMPPS colleagues, referral agencies for our community work, and strategic funding partners to increase our reach and deepen our impact on beneficiaries.
• Build and develop The Clink’s network of potential delivery partners including HMPPS, DWP, DfE, local authority, social care, schools, and other third sector organisations who work with us in supporting our beneficiaries.
• Provide expert content surrounding programme delivery and development for funding bids and proposals.
• Support the work of the CEO and Grants Manager in raising funds for the charity, including through attending pitches and meetings with current and prospective funders.

Finance

• With the support of the Director of Finance and Resources, prepare and oversee budgets for project delivery and track spending against forecasts ensuring good fiscal management of projects.

General Duties

• Report on delivery to the Board of Trustees, prepare papers for and attend subcommittee and full board meetings every quarter as requested.
• Carry out other duties as required by The Clink Charity.
• Act in a manner that is in keeping with The Clink’s values and promote inclusive practices.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Experience of leading projects and training and developing a team made up of staff members of differing levels of seniority.
• Experience of working in: social justice, education, youth work, or criminal justice projects, or having worked in hospitality or horticulture before, or having lived experience that reflects the lives of the beneficiaries that we serve.
• Have an IQA qualification or be willing to complete the course to become accredited.
• A track record of excellent project management skills (accuracy, attention to detail, scheduling, problem solving and monitoring) at a national level and have a strong working knowledge of GDPR.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of building relationships with various stakeholders at a senior level.
• Experience of contributing to the development of overall strategy as part of a senior management team, and ability to translate this into operational strategy and plans that help deliver the organisation’s vision and mission.
• Knowledge of implementing quality assurance systems and the ability to objectively assess the performance of partners and colleagues against an agreed competency matrix.
• Knowledge of report writing and extrapolating data to inform decisions.
• An understanding of the catering, hospitality or horticulture courses (NVQs) provided by City & Guilds.
• Proven experience and working knowledge of safeguarding principles and practices and investigation / reporting protocols.
• Proficient IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office programmes.
• Can work flexible hours when necessary and is willing to travel between our South East projects.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrable belief in The Clink’s mission and passion for our work.
• High levels of self-awareness, humility and flexibility, as well as an open and collaborative leadership style.
• Personal integrity, kindness, warmth and sound judgement.
• Good communicator: orally and in writing.
• Proactive, adaptable and can use initiative and find solutions to problems.
• Positive, entrepreneurial, energising and adopts a “can do” mentality.
• Values driven and promotes inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA).

REPORTING LINES AND MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

You will report to our CEO and to the MD of Clink Events. You will line manage and support members of the delivery team across projects.

GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION

All staff are expected to comply with all current legislation, comply with prison operational policies, comply with The Clink Staff Handbook and undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your manager.

Special requirements include passing the prison security vetting process to be able to draw keys and holding a valid driving licence.
Benefits include 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, a company pension scheme, and free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or visiting for business.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4).

In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 3rd April .

We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.

Appointment process

Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Interview
If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.

Interview outcome
If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.

References
If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.
All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required).

Personal information
The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.

EDIA
We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Accessible recruitment
The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.

Zoe's Place Baby Hospice was founded in Liverpool in 1995 as the first hospice in the UK specifically providing for the needs of babies and younger children. Our team of specialist nurses and healthcare assistants are supported by a wide range of other healthcare professionals to provide respite care, therapies and bereavement care to babies and children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.

In late 2024 the people of Liverpool, the North West, and even further afield helped us to raise more than £7,000,000 to secure the future of our hospice, and to build a state-of-the-art new facility in West Derby.

As work begins on our new hospice facility, our dedicated team continues to deliver specialised care from our existing site, and our team of fundraising, marketing, finance, compliance and administration professionals work hard to keep the charity operating smoothly.

This is a rare opportunity to join our dynamic and successful team as the head of our Income Generation and Marketing function. This role enhances the previous role of Head of Fundraising to be responsible for the overall income generation for the hospice, and the key role for the Head of Income Generation is to maintain a sustainable level of fundraising by increasing the income from paid placements through our relationships with Health Trusts and Councils in Merseyside and Cheshire in particular.

We are looking for someone with proven senior-level experience in income generation within the charity, health or care sector, and with a track record of growing income through commissioning or fundraising. You will need to be a strategic thinker with the confidence and compassion needed to build productive relationships and to manage our passionate and hard working team.

In exchange you will benefit from a competitive salary and benefits package, the opportunity to make a real difference to an incredible cause, and you will be joining the charity at a pivotal point in its development.