Garden Administrator

JOB ROLE 

Salary range:                         £10,030-£13,372, FTE £25,073

Location:                               Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury

Contract type/ hours:         Part time, 15-20 hours per week

Closing date:                        1 September 2024

We are seeking a friendly, organised, part time administrator, to provide support to the Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville, at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury.

 

Horatio’s Garden is a charity that creates and cares for, beautiful gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. Leading garden designers develop the stunning sanctuaries for patients and their family and friends, creating an environment which becomes an integral part of their lives and care whilst spending many months in hospital.

 

The beautiful garden at Stoke Mandeville includes stunning planting, a water feature, and a large garden room to give patients a warm sheltered place to enjoy the garden in all weather.  

 

The Garden Administrator will join a team of six other dedicated administrators across the charity’s existing projects. You will work closely with the Head Gardener and a team of volunteers to nurture the beautiful space for patients and their visitors.

 

You will be responsible for the administration of the garden and coordination of the large group of volunteers. With the Head Gardener you will also arrange social events for patients, their families and visitors.

 

The role is a fantastic opportunity for a confident administrator who is efficient and organised, with great IT skills and a proactive, can-do attitude. You will need to be adaptable and friendly and happy working with volunteers and patients. An understanding of the healing benefits of gardens would be beneficial. We welcome informal enquiries. 

 

The role is a part-time salaried post for 15-20 hours based in our garden, with flexibility for overtime to cover when the Head Gardener is on leave or absent from the garden.  

 

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

 

Key responsibilities include:

·         Volunteer coordination, training and recruitment

·         Support the Head Gardener with administrative duties

·         Develop administration methods to support the efficient running of the garden

·         Provide support in the planning and running of events in the garden

·         Plan and organise garden tours

·         Ensure the garden and buildings are presented to a high standard at all times

·         Share in the upkeep and cleanliness of the kitchen and garden room

·         Support visitors to the garden, booking in visits and assisting with garden tours

·         Purchasing necessary supplies for the garden

·         Collate the banking of donations and managing petty cash

·         Support the sale of charity merchandise and replenish stock as required, with regular stock takes

·         Ensure promotional leaflets and posters are tidy, up to date, stocked and on display

·         Other duties to support the efficient running of the garden

 

Essential skills and experience required:

·         Highly competent administrative experience, at least 2 years

·         Excellent IT competence, agility and experience with using Microsoft 365 programmes, in particular Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·         Outstanding attention to detail, proactive, lots of initiative and drive

·         Able to form positive working relationships with staff at all levels, key stakeholders and volunteers

·         An adaptable and flexible attitude

·         Approachable, friendly and the passion to advocate the values of the charity

Desirable skills and experience:

·         Experience of volunteer coordination and recruitment

·         Experience of organising events and fundraising activities

·         Bookkeeping

·         Appreciation of gardens and their ability to heal

 

As a Charity we are committed to creating and promoting a culture that protects and preserves the welfare of the vulnerable people in our care. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining and evaluating information from and about candidates including criminal record checks, to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work for our Charity.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please read the full job description above before applying. Please upload your CV and one page covering letter outlining why you are suitable for the role. We look forward to receiving your application.