Director of Organic Horticulture

Garden Organic is the UK’s leading organic growing charity. For over 60 years we’ve been researching and promoting organic growing to get as many people as possible growing the organic way.  We know that organic growing is the most sustainable way of growing, and offers far reaching benefits for human health, and the health of the environment & wildlife.

Our work is as interesting as it is varied; we provide advice to our 20,000 members online, through videos, social media and more; we support organic growing activities up and down the UK; we maintain the Heritage Seed Library; we raise awareness of issues impacting organic growers, and so much more. Consumer awareness of the many benefits of organic gardening is growing year on year, and we want to grow with it.

Overall purpose of the role:
The Director of Organic Horticulture is responsible for the development and implementation of an organic horticultural strategy for Garden Organic and is the lead spokesperson for the charity’s organic policy, campaigns and knowledge both internally and externally.

References to the ‘charity’ refer to Garden Organic, which includes the Heritage Seed Library, Organic Enterprises Limited, and any other subsidiary organisations.

Main Duties:

• Acts as a public spokesperson for the charity on organic horticultural matters, including the charity’s policies and campaigns as well as reactive PR.
• Provides strong, effective and highly visible leadership on organic horticultural issues, ensuring that all employees are stimulated, motivated and guided to contribute fully to the implementation of the charity’s Mission, Vision, Purpose, and relevant goals and objectives. 
• Empowers and motivates employees to identify innovative organic approaches to achieve results.
• Develops, promotes and, if necessary, defends, the charity’s organic policy and positioning.  
• Represents Garden Organic at horticultural industry and organic sector events and on national/international committees.  
• Supports the CEO/Board to develop a strategy that effectively positions the charity as the authoritative voice in the sector and educates the public in terms of organic horticultural issues.
• Co-ordinates and chairs the Organic Horticultural Knowledge Panel.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Membership, Marketing and Communications to communicate new and updated key messages about the benefits of organic growing and gardening to appropriate audiences.
• Ensures relevant staff and volunteers have the organic knowledge training, skills and confidence to deliver appropriate organic horticultural messages on behalf of the charity.
• Works with the Fundraising team to identify priority projects and activities.
• Oversees the development of the department’s strategic plan, which addresses critical issues in organic horticulture. The plan will set out objectives for each specific area of the department and outlines plans for achieving those objectives.
• Line manage the Head of the Heritage Seed Library (HSL), Head of Knowledge Transfer and Gardens Manager.
• Support the Gardens Manager and Head of HSL with the implementation of organic best practice for growing spaces at Ryton Gardens and other partner gardens/locations.
• Support the Head of Knowledge Transfer to maximise the sharing of organic knowledge to as many beneficiaries as possible and to oversee the charity’s research activities, including citizen science. 
• Contributes to the overall management of the charity as a member of the Executive team.  

It is the nature of the work at Garden Organic that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All employees are expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises where tasks are not specifically covered in the Job Description and have to be undertaken.  Garden Organic actively encourages employees to spend time volunteering with other departments within the Charity. Some evening, weekend and bank holiday working will be required.

Applications can be submitted via CV and covering letter which details suitability for the role or via our application form which is also attached. Further details are available from our website and social media accounts.

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Files to Download: 

Garden Organic Job Application Form 2020.doc

Director of Organic Horticulture.doc