Gardens Commercial Development Director

Harris Hill are partnering with a fantastic charity, passionate about building better futures for people working in horticulture, in their search for a Gardens Commercial Development Director.

Location: The role is home-based with regular travel across the country (Herefordshire, Yorkshire & Suffolk)

Salary: Circa £70,000

 The 3 existing gardens in the portfolio, are effectively the ‘shop window’ to the charity. As such, the continued development of the gardens as profitable visitor attractions is an integral part of their 5 year strategy and critical to their future. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Working as part of the Senior Leadership Team across the totality of the organisation including collaboration with the Board, the Chief Executive and Senior Managers to define scope, goals and project deliverables.
• The development and execution of a strategy for each garden and aligned operational plans ensuring projects align with the charity’s strategy.
• Working in collaboration with Marketing & Fundraising team and the respective garden managers, to set and work towards achieving sales, membership and visitor targets.
• Taking overall accountability for the day to day running of the visitor attractions including but not limited to the management of the cafés, shops, memberships and events to maximise profitability.
• Effective team management fostering a collaborative environment and optimising team performance.
• Managing resources and considering how they can engage effectively with the local community, the public and other local organisations.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in the management of a visitor attraction (preferably in a horticultural setting), with the ability to think clearly and strategically. Commercial acumen with a proven track record in the development of existing income streams and the identification and maximisation of new ones is crucial, as is a detailed understanding of best practice associated with visitor attractions and the ability to analyse data to make informed decisions and develop innovative solutions. Exceptional management and team working skills with the ability to effectively communicate at all levels and build towards a shared vision is also a must.

If this sounds like you and you’re keen to hear more, please do get in touch ASAP for the full job pack!

Please note, only successful candidates will be contacted with further information.    

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.