Description
Allotment Co-ordinator/Skilled Gardener
Location: Kensington Gardens
Hourly Rate: £16.24
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 07:00–15:30
About the Role
Join idverde at The Royal Parks and help shape a thriving, biodiverse allotment space at one of London’s most iconic green locations.
We're looking for a skilled, passionate horticulturist with a talent for growing food, nurturing volunteers, and contributing to the wider horticultural work of Kensington Gardens.
This is a unique role that blends hands-on allotment management with broader horticultural responsibilities. You’ll spend 50% of your time supporting core horticultural operations across the park, and 50% leading the allotment garden — developing planting plans, supporting volunteers, and helping us engage the public with sustainable growing.
As the Allotment Coordinator / Skilled Gardener, you will:
- Maintain the allotment gardens to the highest standard.
- Implement the annual growing plan and help develop future planting plans with volunteers.
- Order seeds and supplies through approved channels.
- Lead, support and supervise volunteers, including organising sessions, recording attendance, and maintaining clear communication by email and phone.
- Deliver engaging volunteer sessions to build gardening skills and knowledge.
- Work with the Help Nature Thrive and Engagement teams to support public events such as open days and local outreach activities.
- Liaise with The Royal Parks, Capel Manor College, and onsite teams to support effective allotment operations.
- Follow all Royal Parks risk assessments, policies and safe working procedures.
- Contribute to wider horticultural tasks across the park for 50% of your time, under the direction of the Head Gardener and Chargehand.
What We’re Looking For
Essential:
- Experience managing and supporting volunteers.
- Experience working with diverse groups and a strong commitment to inclusion.
- Horticultural qualification or equivalent experience.
- Working knowledge of food growing, biodiversity and developing planting plans for community gardens.
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with good attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and time‑management abilities.
- Commitment to The Royal Parks’ values: responsible, excellent, inclusive, open and respectful.
- Passion for sustainable and organic food growing.
Desirable:
- Experience delivering public events.
- Experience managing a public access garden or allotment.
- Understanding of health and wellbeing benefits of food growing.
- Understanding of safeguarding related to volunteer management (or willingness to undertake training).
- Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends.
Why Join Us?
The Royal Parks manage some of the UK's most cherished green spaces, welcoming over 77 million visits annually. In this role, you’ll make a genuine impact — supporting biodiversity, engaging local communities, and helping volunteers grow their skills and confidence.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Benefits
- 21 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Workwear & PPE provided.
- Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave.
- Support for personal and professional challenges.
- Discounts on retail, holidays, gym memberships, and more.
- Secure your future - competitive pension scheme and resources to manage your finances.
- Colleague of the month and annual awards.
- Two days per year to support a cause of your choice.
- Comprehensive resources and support.
About idverde
We are Europe's largest provider of grounds maintenance services and landscape creation, in the UK alone we're a community of over 3,000 passionate colleagues shaping the future of the green industry.
At idverde, we understand what it means to grow. Our history dates back to 1919, and today, with a turnover of £250 million, we're more than just a company – we're a force for positive change. We offer a range of services to create, maintain, and manage landscapes across the UK.
Grow with us, and together we’ll create a greener future for all.
