Operations Manager for Harington Gardeners

Introducing Harington 

Harington is an Ofsted regulated Independent Training Provider, based in Highgate, North London specialising in horticulture, retail and employability skills for young people with learning differences aged 16-25. 

As part of our provision we operate a gardening business/enterprise – Harington Gardeners providing income for our charity, work experience placements for our students and employment for young people. 

The Role - Harington Gardeners

We have a wonderful opportunity for a dynamic and experienced senior horticultural operations manager to lead, and drive growth and excellence across the management and operations of Harington Gardeners. Ideally you will have experience of working with young people with learning differences. Your strong financial and administrative acumen, attention to detail and ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders will be essential.  

How can you apply?   

To apply please submit your CV and a Personal Statement (no more than 2 x A4 pages), identifying how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, and why you are interested in becoming Harington Gardeners Operations Manager.

Please send this to info@harington.org.uk

All offers are conditional and subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and references including an enhanced DBS check.

Closing date for applications

Thursday 20 February 2025, 9:00am

Shortlisting and interview notification

Friday 21 February 2025

Interviews

Tuesday 4 March 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  Harington Gardeners Operations Manager

REPORTING TO:  Head of Finance and Operations

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Supervisors x 2, Assistant Gardeners and Work Experience Learners

HOURS:  37.5 hours a week (8.00 – 4.30pm), including occasional weekend duties and attendance at evening meetings as required for which time off in lieu are granted.

ANNUAL LEAVE:  25 days (rising to 30 after 5 years’ service), plus 8 days Bank/Public Holidays

SALARY:  £40,400 per annum

PROBATION PERIOD:  3-months

ROLE OVERVIEW

To ensure and enhance the operational and financial efficiency and effectiveness of Harington Gardeners - a service providing commercial garden maintenance and landscaping, alongside an intermediate horticultural employment and training opportunity for students with learning differences.

This role also involves the day-to-day operations of Harington Gardeners, overseeing both administrative and operational tasks, including weekly rota management aligned with the annual garden maintenance cycle, budget control, and customer contract management with regular review, ensuring high-quality maintenance and project delivery.  The position combines office-based work and gardening, integrating the provision with other areas of Harington’s training programme to enhance the Assistant Gardeners future employability.  You will manage health and safety, maintain resources – gardening machinery and equipment, and line managing Supervisors, Assistant Gardeners and Work Experience Learners, providing supervision, training and performance appraisals. With senior horticultural experience, ideally including working with young people with learning differences, you will lead teams, drive growth and engage with stakeholders, playing a crucial role in Harington’s long-term vision and success.

As a member of Harington’s management team, the role contributes to achieving the charity’s overarching aims and objectives.

1. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY OF CONTRACTS

• Supervising and carrying out garden maintenance at customer premises with a team of Assistant Gardeners and work experience trainees.
• Management of day-to-day enquiries from current customers, visiting as required and preparing estimates for additional landscape and maintenance work. Implementing price reviews/increases, annually in January.
• Management of day-to-day enquiries from potential new customers, visiting and preparing estimates, negotiating contracts.
• Maintaining digital copies of up-to-date customer records.  
• Monitoring contracts on a regular basis to ensure that work is carried out by the team is to a satisfactory standard, the contacted hours are sufficient to complete the visit per month and dealing with customer complaints. This may include accompanying Supervisors on-site to assess work undertaken.
• Preparing monthly rotas and maintaining accurate records of work carried out by supervisory staff and gardeners.
• In conjunction with the Supervisors, ensuring that materials and equipment for contracts are ordered and delivered on-time according to the schedule and gardening machinery and equipment remains in a good condition. Any repairs are carried out without delay to avoid an impact on the timely delivery of gardening contracts.
• Marketing and promotion of the gardeners, including regular posts on social media channels, preparation of leaflets, attendance at Harington or other events or PR.

TRAINING PROGRAMME

• Developing training and progression plans for Assistant Gardeners to enhance their skills, knowledge and employment prospects for the end of their tenure with the Harington Gardeners. Additionally, implementing routine and tailored training programmes for Supervisors to strengthen their knowledge and leadership skills.
• Ensuring that all Assistant Gardeners and work experience students have a full induction and good quality training sessions, as necessary, to support them in their roles and increase their employability.
• Ensuring that Assistant Gardeners and Supervisors are given adequate instruction and supervision to enable them to develop their skills and carry out work to an acceptable commercial standard.
• Ensuring that all staff carry out monitoring and reviewing of Assistant Gardeners and work experience learners according to set time scales.
• Close liaison with the Recruitment and Progression Team and Vocational Team leader to co-ordinate work experience; provide feedback on work experience learners; and support the progression of Assistant Gardeners into further employment.
• Providing regular assessment opportunities and witness statements for learners and Assistant Gardeners who are working toward qualifications.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Preparation of budgets and progress reports for the Harington management team and advising your line Manager on operational policy regarding gardeners’ activities.
• Ensuring that all contracted customers are invoiced monthly, by providing the finance team with any changes to contracted hours, waste removal and additional services carried out. In addition, ensuring that all one-off jobs are invoiced monthly by providing the finance team with a breakdown of all costs and customer contact details.
• Implementing cost and budgetary controls to ensure budget targets are met while maximising the effective use of staff and resources.
• Developing new and/or increase revenue streams and contributing to fundraising – develop an awareness of any external funding initiatives and bring them to the attention of your line manager. 

HEALTH & SAFETY MANAGEMENT

• Taking responsibility for general Health & Safety within Harington Gardeners, including undertaking essential training to ensure compliance and safety standards. Additionally, maintaining personal health and safety, while developing and adhering to safe working practices to promote a secure and healthy working environment for all.
• Carrying out and updating risk assessments as needed including risk assessment of individuals and work sites.
• Ensuring that all contracts are delivered within the remit of the Health & Safety at Work Act and associated regulations.
• Arranging regular checks and maintenance of equipment and tools to ensure optimal performance and safety. Maintaining an up-to-date Asset Register, implementing procedures to ensure all tools are accounted for, and available for use are needed.
• Ensuring all fleet maintenance requirements, including MOTs and servicing are up to date and completed on schedule.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

• Providing effective line management and development of all staff and volunteers within the team. This includes conducting regular supervision meetings, typically monthly, and annual appraisals.
• Motivating and supervising team members, ensuring effective collaboration and a positive work environment. This includes delivering comprehensive inductions for Assistant Gardeners and fostering strong dynamics by encouraging cooperation among team members and other staff.
• Preparing or contributing to the preparation of reports on all matters relating to the Harington Gardeners to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributing to the management team on all aspects of organisational development.
• Undertaking regular performance monitoring against delivery/work plans and taking a leading role in the monitoring and evaluation of grant-funded projects.
• Providing gardening cover for the Supervisors as required.
• To carry out any other tasks that may be required.

It is expected that the role will initially require 3-days administration and 2-days gardening, however this may fluctuate. For example, to fulfil gardening contracts during Supervisor’s annual leave.

2. Person Specification

Harington Gardeners Operations Manager

Please refer to the Job Pack at the bottom of the page for details of the personal specification.

Please ensure that you describe how you meet all essential criteria in your application.

This post involves working closely with vulnerable young people therefore the appointment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure with Barred List checks.

This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlights some of the major tasks of the post.