Support jobs

Chief Executive Officer

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on the executive leadership of a highly respected and effective charity working within and around Cambridge.

Join a charity that aims to protect, enhance and celebrate the landscape, heritage and nature that make Cambridge a special place, for today and for generations to come.

Position: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Cambridge/Hybrid (1 day per week working from home)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (part-time or job share considered)

Salary: £65 - £75k dependent on skills and experience. 

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: 33 days annual holiday entitlement pro rata, includes allowance for Bank Holidays.  Pension contribution of up to 5% of gross pay. Flexible delivery of hours. Remote working options. Free on-site parking

Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 13 April.

The Role

This charity is a small but complex organisation. It owns greenspaces, nature reserves and historic properties that welcome thousands of visitors every year; it runs a busy outdoor education and events programme and delivers civic initiatives such as the Blue Plaque scheme for Cambridge; it is a driving force in the Cambridge Nature Network; it responds to hundreds of planning proposals that could have a harmful impact on Cambridge’s landscapes, nature or special character and runs major campaigns when needed. It combines hands-on land and property management with being a highly respected and effective voice influencing the sustainable development of Cambridge.

The CEO is responsible for ensuring that all green spaces and historic buildings in the charity’s care are protected and enhanced, and that the influence on the development of the greater Cambridge area is as strong as it can be. Balancing demands across all areas of the charity’s work is a major part of the role, informed by a strategy and strategic plan that guides prioritisation and focus in any given year. You will play a primary role in local advocacy, influence and the development of external partnerships and opportunities, and support the staff team in delivering the other areas. 

Main areas of responsibility include:

• Inspiring and Supportive Leadership
• Strategy Development and Delivery
• People and Organisation Development
• Finance and Governance
• Influence and Advocacy

About You

With sound finances and a small but effective staff team, we are looking for an inspirational and supportive leader who has the experience and knowledge required to help the charity flourish and rise to the opportunities and challenges of the coming years.

You will bring with you the following key skills and experience:

• Degree or equivalent higher professional qualification, in management or a subject relevant to the role.
• Experience managing a team at a senior level.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a senior team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills across multiple audiences.
• Proven ability to network, advocate and positively influence at a high level.
• Experience of collaborative and partnership working to achieve more impact.
• Good professional understanding or experience of managing either natural habitats or built heritage, or both. 
• Experience in strategy development and delivery, turning an ambitious vision into actionable plans.
• Experience of developing projects and project management, delivering practical outcomes to time and to budget.
• Experience in budgeting and financial management across multiple work areas.
• An understanding of town planning issues and the English development process, or willingness to learn.
• A good negotiator who can listen, influence, respond and follow up appropriately.
• High levels of self-awareness, emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Competency with a range of IT software and communications mechanisms.

Our ideal candidate will live within Cambridge or the surrounding region and have had senior management experience in a relevant organisation. If this sounds like you then apply today!

A full clean driving licence and proof of the right to work in the UK are required for this role.

When applying you will be asked to submit a CV and Cover Letter. Please note that we are unable to consider anyone for the role if they haven’t submitted both documents.

About the Organisation

The charity cares for the green setting of Cambridge and its most valuable landscapes and is working to enhance and connect them for nature and people. They inspire people of all ages to get outdoors and help them to enjoy, learn about and get involved with their local environment, heritage and culture.

You may also have experience in roles such as CEO, Chief Exec, Managing Director, Head of Operations, Deputy CEO, Deputy Chief Exec, Chief Executive Officer, Department Head, Head of. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

The Head Gardener role offers a unique opportunity to work in a historic and peaceful environment. You will be part of a dedicated team, working closely with colleagues to create and maintain the Palace's beautiful gardens. This role provides a chance to showcase your gardening expertise and leadership skills in a supportive and flexible work setting.

The Head Gardener has overall responsibility for the presentation, management, maintenance, upkeep and agreed development of Bishopthorpe Palace Gardens and line management of the garden staff engaged as employees and volunteers.

This post gives an excellent opportunity to work in a small, friendly, environment, in unusual and pleasant surroundings. Colleagues at Bishopthorpe Palace work as a small and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods with flexibility and good humour. The person appointed will relate directly to the Archbishop, Chief of Staff, Palace and Events Manager and Palace Warden. Working closely with the Assistant Gardener, casual staff and volunteers working in the grounds.

MAIN DUTIES

Responsible for the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, ensuring that the appearance of the entire garden site is kept to the best standard at all times including:

• Planning and balance of year-round needs of garden/estate.
• Designing the winter and summer annual bedding and arranging the
  purchase and cultivation of the plants.
• Maintaining paths, perimeter and riverbank vegetation
• Hands-on weeding, pruning, dead-heading, plant division and replanting
  where necessary throughout the grounds.
• Directing and assisting in the care, cultivation and maintenance of all
  plants, seasonal planting, borders, shrubs, trees, lawns and ponds.
• Management of wildlife in the grounds.
• Management of the pond.
• Planting of seeds and bulbs and caring for them during the winter.
• Ensure the safety of paths and the grounds during the winter, including
  clearing snow and salting paths
• Hands-on working with the garden team to achieve autumn leaf clearance
  and appropriate disposal.
• Hands-on working with the garden team to ensure all lawns and hedges
  are kept trimmed to the required standard.
• Irrigating all garden pots/planters and ornamental areas, including lawns,
  to ensure good growing conditions.
• Propagation of garden plant material for use in the garden and plant sales at garden events.

• Monitoring and control of weeds and algae in gravel paths, paving, ponds and borders and taking appropriate action.

Responsible for the management of the Palace woodland including:

• the use of chainsaws to fell and crosscut timber.
• monitoring existing trees and re-planting when necessary to ensure the continuation of a safe and healthy woodland.
  

Develop and implement a garden risk management control plan which includes, but is not limited to, the inspection and periodic pruning of trees

Responsible for the purchase, storage, handling and application of pesticides and weed killers used throughout the Palace grounds adhering to current Health and Safety legislation.

Ensuring the garden bothy, garden tool and machinery sheds, potting shed and greenhouse are all kept in a tidy, safe and well-presented manner

Manage the garden budget in conjunction with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager including:

• Production of an annual budget for expenditure relating to the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace.
• Submitting requests and invoices for expenditure within the agreed budget for Bishopthorpe Palace garden.
• Agreeing expenditure items with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager in advance.
• Preparation of a schedule of maintenance and replacement for all machinery and tools including annual servicing.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES

• Attendance at Bishopthorpe Palace H&S meetings.
• Ensure all garden works are in full compliance with Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
• Ensure all chain saw and garden chemical licences remain current and comply with Health & Safety legislation.
• In consultation with the Palace & Events Manager and Palace Warden ensuring the safety of garden users by regular checks on trees, access areas, steps and paths and reporting or repairing any hazards.
• Responsible for monitoring all personal protection equipment used in the department to ensure expiry dates for critical safety equipment are adhered here.
• Responsible for maintenance of machinery and tools, including annual servicing.
  

LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the line management of the Assistant Gardener.
• Responsible for the line management of casual and volunteer garden staff.
• Overseeing, directing and training garden staff when they are working in the garden.
• Assist the Palace manager with the sourcing, management and supervision of contractors working within the Palace grounds and woodland.
• Assist with the interviewing and appointment of future garden staff.

OTHER DUTIES

• Attendance of regular Bishopthorpe Palace Operation meetings to update on site work by other departments.
• Attendance of management training courses and in-house training and briefing courses when requested.
• Lead on internal and external communications for the Gardening team, including attending office meetings, including the huddle.
• Liaising with the wider Bishopthorpe Palace Estates team to enable maintenance and restoration work via garden areas and agreeing making-good costs for the garden.
• Liaising with the Hospitality team to enable smooth running of their events in both the Palace building and garden
• Dealing with garden enquiries and giving guided tours of the garden.
• Setting up garden open days and attending all garden events at Bishopthorpe Palace as requested by the Palace and Events Manager, to help with stewarding, event presentation and security.
• Helping with the security of the Palace when required, including:
  • Dealing with alarms - subject to their home location
  • Locking external gates
  • Making the Palace and grounds secure.
  • To help with various duties around the Palace as agreed with the Palace and Events Manager.