London

Head of Gardens

Head of Gardens

Job Ref ADV494

Organisational Context

Founded in 2004, we grow food, people and community for a fair and just world. Global Generation aims to create a welcoming, caring and learning culture in which we recognise and promote the diversity of people and nature.

We aim to break down barriers to engagement to help build resilient communities and environments, working together towards a more inclusive, equitable and just world. Our work connects people of all ages to nature in the middle of the city and particularly focuses on empowering children and young people to create social and environmental change.

We operate in the boroughs of Camden, Islington and Southwark. Working from educational and bio-diverse garden spaces such as the Story Garden and Floating Garden in King’s Cross and the Paper Garden in Canada Water we combine activities such as urban food growing, supporting bees, carpentry, cooking, and healthy eating with dialogue, storytelling, creative writing, performance and art, silence and stillness. These practices help us to create the conditions for people to come together in a fuller and more connected sense of who they are and what they are a part of and, from that space, to practically and creatively contribute to ecological and social change.

Benefits to working with Global Generation

We are pioneering a way-finding, action research approach to our development, championing collaborative ways of working within the team. We aim to create a supportive, creative and rewarding environment for you to work in. We ensure all members of staff are part of developing how we work as an organisation through:

• Staff lunches
• Weekly team meetings
• Monthly reflective spaces to learn together
• Quarterly away days and residentials
• Job related training and coaching as part of your own personal development
• The opportunity to slow down, plan and reflect during the winter
•  Additional support if the need arises through our partnership with the Camden Psychotherapy Unit.

Job Purpose

In spring 2025 our main base, the Story Garden, will relocate to a permanent new home, currently called the Triangle. This is an exciting new phase for Global Generation as historically we have always occupied temporary spaces, but with this new garden we’ll have the opportunity to grow in the ground and develop a thousand year vision for this green, biodiverse, educational garden and habitat haven.

We are looking for a passionate and experienced person with solid urban organic gardening, landscaping, people and project management experience to take this vision forward. We will get site access to start to develop this new garden in spring 2024, and will have one year to get it ready for the big move. Exciting plans for the garden include: a productive forest garden area, native woodland hedgerows, wildlife space and a food production area showcasing different organic sustainable approaches.

Alongside this, next year will also see the slow move out of the Story Garden into the surrounding Somers Town area, and working with Camden Council and other local partners this role will oversee and support the team on the ground to rehome the elements of the Story Garden to benefit local green spaces and develop urban greening projects in local estates and community spaces.

As well as overseeing the development of this new garden and move, the Head of Garden’s role is a key part of the senior management team, there to give expert support to the rest of the gardening team, to generate income through our garden services and fundraising and to work with the rest of the Global Generation teams to ensure that growing is an integral part of children, young people’s and the local communities’ experiences. Although the main focus next year will be the development of the Triangle and move from the Story Garden, this is a cross-site role and will also support teams at both the Floating Garden, a canal boat in Kings Cross, and the Paper Garden in Canada Water.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Overseeing our ‘home gardens’
• Oversee the design and development of our existing and upcoming educational garden sites at Senior Management level, which include:
• Permanent Garden (Triangle) on the King’s Cross development site as our main ‘headquarters’ in King’s Cross. Starting on site early 2024
• Floating Garden - an educational garden barge on the canal in Granary Square. ongoing
• The Story Garden - long term, permanent, legacy of the current Story Garden in King’s Cross, as part of the final development of the area. - Moving 2025
• The Paper Garden in Canada Water - ongoing

Through this you will:

Ensure our home gardens are inspiring, demonstrate a variety of sustainable and organic practices around food growing and offer a mix of community and educational opportunities

Ensure our home gardens work as a showcase for urban greening, demonstrating the possibilities of creating bio-diverse, productive, community and habitat spaces in the city

Ensure that educational and engagement opportunities are at the forefront of garden development

Where appropriate get involved in on the ground projects to ensure you are creatively and collaboratively connected to what colleagues are doing and the work of the organisation ..

Garden services, landscape design and consultancy

We have changed how our garden services work from being purely commercial towards garden installations being a platform to provide learning, work experience and paid opportunities for local young people and adults. We are developing this area of work so that the horticulture training we offer and plant nursery are integrated within it. This is currently not a large part of the role, but has potential to be developed.

• Lead on large-scale garden services projects, from liaising with the client, designing the garden, managing the build and contractors, purchasing plants and materials, developing and following the budget, following up with invoicing and maintenance
• Support the garden delivery team with smaller projects where needed
• Lead on public realm projects at Canada Water and developments in King’s Cross
• Work alongside the Directors and Head of Fundraising to develop our training and consultancy offers

Senior management and line management of staff

Support the work of your team through regular individual supervision and team meetings and monitor and review performance to ensure priorities and work plans are achieved, as well as identify staff training and development needs. Staff you will line manage currently include:

• Story Garden Manager (King’s Cross)
• Community Gardener (King’s Cross)
• Community Engagement Manager (King’s Cross)
• Oversee garden teams across sites and hold regular Garden Team meetings (for each site and whole team) and outings which inspire the teams to develop our home gardens and support cross site collaboration and learning
• Responsible for recruitment of garden staff
• Work with our Head of Fundraising to secure funding to support the physical development of different operational sites
• Work as part of the Senior Management team to review and develop policies and ensure inclusive practices. Ensure that the working environment is of high standard for staff and volunteers and deal with issues that arise
• Work as part of Senior Management team to develop the long term vision of the organisation, especially around approaches to garden development, environmental education, sustainable income generation, outreach and local greening/public realm projects

Administration

• Report writing for funders and comms
• Oversee and manage the core garden budget, ensure we keep to our target and spend
• Through holding this overview of the wider garden incoming and outgoings feed into organisational budgets and forecasts as and when required
• Leading project management meetings and keeping projects on track and project plans updated
• Supporting the on the ground teams with data collection for reporting and comms
• Act as a spokesperson for Global Generation’s gardens and ethos and input into writing blogs and speak to press

Values we’re looking for

• Empathy with Global Generation’s ethos and interest in values based learning
• Commitment to equity, diversity and sustainability in all aspects of your approach
• Appreciation of action research and qualitative approaches to evaluating and reporting on projects
• Passion for creating environments that support children and young people’s development
• Passionate about working with people to engage them in ways to learn new skills, build connections and fulfil their potential
• Ready to take initiative, a can-do and flexible attitude and able to deal with change
• A love of working outdoors, the natural environment and urban greening
• Appreciation of working across sectors, disciplines and worldviews

See full job description on our website for table of necessary/desirable skills and experience.

https://www.globalgeneration.org.uk/jobs-and-volunteering

This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. horticruitment are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.

If you would like more information regarding horticultural qualifications and colleges, see our Career advice.

If you would like more information on the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) please click here and the Association Professional Landscapers please click here

by Global Generation

Interior Landscaping Field Maintenance Technician

Job Ref: ADV489

Job description.

Funky Yukka are the leading provider of tropical plant displays, artificial plants, maintenance services, event hire and Christmas tree hire services. We are being awarded lots of new business whilst growing existing customers which means we’re after a new star to join our team.

To fit into our high performing team you should be ambitious, bright and very self motivated and most importantly YOU MUST LOVE WHAT YOU DO. You’ll have the opportunity to grow with a company and really make a difference.

You must be reliable, friendly, approachable, good with plants, can drive, can think outside the box and want to be part of a dynamic company. You must have a very keen eye for detail and have a passion for perfection.

Your work will be judged by hundreds of people every day so taking ownership of your clients is paramount.

You will be the face of the company and will develop professional relationships with new and existing customers. It is therefore very important you enjoy interacting with people and providing great customer service.

You must be enthusiastic, friendly and smart. Being able to work on your own initiative is essential. You will be responsible for your own budgets, time and quality standards so you must be very organised and motivated.

Day to day public transport will be used for getting to clients. Travelling to inner London and such other regions for installation and deliveries will also be part of the role. Head office is based in Staffordshire so regular visits via car and train will be required.

Careful time management and planning will be critical in order to organise your day around the hours available whilst maintaining extremely high maintenance standards across all sites.

Main Duties

• Tidying and removing dead or dying plant material from the area or unit.
• Maintaining plants by feeding, watering and dusting
• Changing plants where necessary and re-planting using the correct plant for the environment.
• Pruning when necessary to retain shape and/or promote growth.
• Checking for pests, weeds etc and treating where necessary within set guidelines.
• Applying fertilisers in the recommended frequency and quantity as required.
• Tidying the area to remove litter/debris etc.
• Completing Maintenance Report sheets and where applicable and forwarding to the office in a timely manner
• Competent installation on wall hanging foliage displays.
• Additional duties as required.
• Deliveries

Heading up by way of leading deliveries, installations and collections. Leeds - London and beyond.

Completing Pre-Delivery Inspection Reports

Building and preparing displays on and off site

Pre – Production and Assembly of Displays

Installing wall mounted panels, art and foliage pieces.

Assisting in event hire, exhibition build, delivery, installation and collections.

Responsibilities

Arranging for any agreed works to be implemented

Maintaining contact with key accounts

Be prepared to work from home remotely

Be prepared to travel and occasionally stay in Central London and work in the City.

Be prepared to travel to Head Office in Stafford regularly

Assisting in the training of new staff.

Management of the warehouse and stock rooms.

Communicate, liaise, and negotiate with Funky Yukka personnel, existing clients and new clients using appropriate methods to facilitate the development of new profitable business and sustainable relationships.

Attend training courses and develop, keep up to date with relevant product, industry knowledge, techniques and skills.

Key Skills/abilities:

• Excellent communication skills – oral and written.
• Highly organised with a structured approach to working.
• Confident and articulate - good at dealing with people at every level.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Focused on results and meeting deadlines and targets.
• Disciplined, self-motivated and a team player.

Benefits:

Subsidised commuter solution

Company events & social hours

On-site parking

Flexible working hours

Work from home opportunities

Bonus scheme

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Part-time hours: 16 - 32 per week

Salary: Up to £11.95 per hour

10 hour shift

8 hour shift

Day shift

Monday to Friday

Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: London / In person

This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. horticruitment are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.

by accounts3