The Royal Horticultural Society is the world's leading gardening charity, devoted to promoting and sharing the best in gardening and horticulture. Our existing four Gardens are a key part of this vision, and are amongst the finest in the country, showcasing the best in horticulture, as well as being centres of learning and major visitor destinations. RHS Bridgewater will be our fifth garden and marks a significant milestone in the continuing growth of the organisation within the U.K.
You would be joining the RHS at the most exciting time in its 211 year history with major investments being made across the organisation. This includes a multi-million pound investment into RHS Garden Bridgewater that will create the opportunity to develop new collections, planting combinations and landscapes to engage with an entirely new audience in the north-west of England.
This is a challenging, exciting and diverse role as the pivotal, second horticultural appointment made for the new garden. Ultimately the successful person will manage three teams focusing on propagation, glasshouse management, key ornamental areas within the magnificent Walled Garden, entranceways, labelling and interpretation. The remit covers the 'Inner Walled Garden', Intermediate Walled Garden, Curator's Garden, entranceways and the propagation facilities. The role will have oversight and involvement with the new vision for all of these areas which are currently a blank canvas but with extremely exciting design and build possibilities. Additionally these areas will ultimately include several national collections of plants, many of which will have a distinct local identity.
You will be expected to have a relevant horticultural qualification, high level of general knowledge and technical horticultural expertise, with significant post qualification experience in horticulture. You should also have proven ability with high level management and the capacity to educate and motivate teams of staff. Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills would also be essential. Additionally, previous experience of managing projects is desirable.
Hours: Full time working 5 in 7 day rota (37.5 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Reports to: Curator
Reports: 2 Team Leaders and Garden Labelling
Job Purpose: As a key member of the management team, to play an important role in the development and implementation of the objectives as defined in the RHS Business Plan, Strategic Plan and ultimately the Garden Master Plan; to lead, manage, develop and empower the team to set and deliver high standards in horticulture and customer services using and planning resources to best effect.
Dimensions: Ultimately, overall responsibility for a team of approximately 20 staff including students and apprentices as applicable. Additionally responsibility for garden volunteers within areas of geographic responsibility.
Responsible for the performance management and development of the team in accordance with HR policies and procedures.
Outward looking across the RHS Gardens, RHS Divisions and the appropriate sectors of the Horticultural Industry.
Budget management for the running of the portions of the garden sitting within area of designated responsibility. The level of this budget will be agreed in tandem with the curator and head of site once the garden converts from a project KIPs led site to an operationally led one in 2020.
Accountabilities:
1. To lead and manage the recruitment, development and retention of a new Curatorial Department to achieve agreed objectives and the delivery of the RHS strategy and Master Plans.
2. To support the Curatorial Department in creating and developing the potential of the new Bridgewater Garden through the ongoing design and build phase prior to opening the public proper.
3. The strategic and operational leadership, management and development of operations and people within the curatorial team for effective, efficient ways of working to deliver high levels of quality and productivity and agreeing best use of site resources and skills with colleagues.
4. Delivering relevant support environmental and technical expertise to the staff, trainees and volunteers, RHS Committees, RHS events, demonstrations, displays, shows, and educational activities.
5. Act as an ambassador and expert for the RHS to the external audience.
6. Ensuring high quality customer service to all visitors, events attendees, work colleagues and other RHS departments
7. To develop and manage budget and other resources.
8. Providing the practical educational programme to horticultural trainees in support of their studies
9. Acting as a Site Duty Manager on a rota basis where you will be accountable for co-ordinating site emergencies, taking site closure decisions and taking a lead on setting high site standards of customer care.
10. To adhere to current Health & Safety legislation and best practice in accordance with the Society's Health and Safety Policy Statement.
11. Responsibility for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their staff and volunteers; and that the activities for which they are responsible do not expose anyone to risks to their health or safety. Specific areas of responsibility include: ensuring staff and volunteers are adequately supervised, trained and provided with adequate instruction and information to carry out their work safely; ensuring that RHS procedures are followed and risk assessments are carried out; and procedures are in place to deal with emergencies.
12. To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of you in the post.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential:
High level of general horticultural knowledge and technical horticultural expertise and/or high level knowledge of, and technical expertise in, relevant garden support services.
Relevant qualification in horticulture or allied subject, or equivalent.
Experience
Significant post qualification experience in horticulture or relevant discipline.
High level management skills and the capacity to educate and motivate teams of staff.
Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Desirable:
Ability to lead and undertake strategic and operational planning,
Delivering horticultural design and build projects.
We want to enrich everyone's life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.