Public Programming Officer (Operations)

Royal Horticultural Society

Length of contract
6 month

About the Organisation

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet. And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings.

From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference. Our careers portal here provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.

About the role

The Public Programming Officer plays a vital role in the planning and delivery of our  Family Programmes, which run during school holidays. This hands-on position is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of all Family programme activities, including venue setup, staff coordination, and the overall execution of events. The role requires a proactive and organised individual who is comfortable working onsite, with availability during school holidays, as well as some evenings and weekends, to support the successful delivery of engaging and memorable experiences for families.  

The Public Programming Officer (Operations) will be responsible for leading and managing our team of Family Programme Casual Staff to ensure the smooth and safe delivery of all activities. This includes creating and maintaining staff rotas, providing on-the-ground supervision during programme delivery, and ensuring all team members receive the necessary training and support to perform their roles effectively and safely. 

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage the safe and effective delivery of all Family Programme activities, maintaining high standards of health and safety for both staff and visitors. 
• Lead and supervise the Family Programme casual staff during event delivery, ensuring smooth operations and a positive visitor experience. 
• Develop and manage staff rotas, ensuring adequate coverage and clear communication of roles and responsibilities. 
• Coordinate internal communications related to operations, including distributing event plans and responding to staff queries. 
• Oversee the setup and breakdown of Family Programme events, ensuring all spaces are safe, accessible, and ready for use. 
• Hilltop Live Public 
• Engagement Officer 
• Maintain and manage programme equipment, including booking items in and out via the equipment calendar and ensuring all resources are in good working order. 
• Drive the site’s utility vehicle for transporting equipment and materials, requiring a valid driving licence. 
• Oversee the delivery of Family Programme activities, ensuring the safety and well-being of both staff and visitors at all times. 
• Contribute to post-event evaluations and debriefs, identifying areas for improvement and supporting continuous development. 
• Follow H&S guidelines at all times. 
• Where time allows, assist the wider Public Programming team with other programs and events, and undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required. 

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience in coordinating and delivering public-facing projects and events.
• Ability to supervise, support, and motivate casual staff, including rota planning and on-the-ground leadership.  
• Good understanding of health and safety protocols, including risk assessments and safeguarding procedures. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for liaising with staff, internal teams, and external partners. 
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively to unexpected challenges during live events. 
• A valid UK driving licence, with confidence in operating utility vehicles (Gator) on-site. 
• Willingness and ability to undertake manual tasks such as setting up and breaking down event spaces. 
• Current certification in First Aid at Work, or a willingness to become First Aid trained.

Desirable: 

• Familiarity with museums, galleries, and other public engagement environments.
• Experience conducting post-project reviews and evaluations.

Working locations

• RHS Garden Wisley, United Kingdom

How to apply

• Apply online
• If you require any additional support with making your application, please contact [email protected]. Please ensure to include the job title or job reference number REQ (found at the top of the advert) when emailing. 

Interviews

• We may review applications as soon as we receive them, so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply straight away, as the vacancy will be closed as soon as we hire the right candidate. 

Policies

RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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