Chief Executive Officer

Are you a Senior Manager with a broad range of business operations experience, including finance, people management, communication, marketing and operational administration? Do you have a passion for the horticultural industry? Are you able to build relationshipswith ease and bring people together? If so, we’d love to hear from you

**Job Title**:Chief Executive Officer / CEO

**Location**: Flexible

**Salary**: £60,000 - £70,000 dependent on experience & car allowance + Benefits (listed below)

**Who we are**

We were set up over 50 years’ ago as a member’s organisation. Currently over 200 of the country's leading garden centres are members. To ensure that these high standards are maintained each garden centre is inspected annually.The Association can state,proudly, that it represents the leading garden centres within the UK and worldwide.

The garden centre offers its members a range of benefits including an annual conference and other networking and learning opportunities.At its heart is the mission to connect the best garden centres in the UK and inspire and support them to grow and adapt

At the core of its activities is the customer experience. One example of this is the garden centre’s pioneering e-learning training programme for garden centre staff.

**The Role - Chief Executive Officer / CEO**

The has ultimate responsibility and accountability for the Association.Working closely with the Executive committee to lead the organisation.Influencing and implementing the strategic direction and operational management to ensure it meets the needsof its members in line with the vision, mission and values.

**Operation and Management**
- To oversee the smooth and efficient day to day operation and management of the Association
- Manage and motivate the team to achieve the agreed objectives.Create a positive and supportive working environment, overseeing the recruitment, development and retention of staff
- Work closely with the Chairman, Management and Executive committees providing them with regular updates and reports on head office activities.
- Implement agreed policies and strategies, recommend improvements to administrative systems and procedures which include the database and website
- Oversee the administration of the Trust and Club and maintain contact with Honorary members.

**Finance**
- Work closely with the Treasurer to ensure the successful setting of the annual budget and overall adherence to financial legislation, governance and relevant best practice in accordance with the articles of association.
- Oversee the processing of the associations accounting procedures to full trial balance liaising with the Treasurer, company accountant / auditor as necessary
- Oversee the production of monthly management accounts / VAT returns / credit control
- Responsible for controlling office expenditure and bank accounts
- Oversee the processing of all invoices and managing debtors
- To procure sponsorship for activities eg. conference, awards, publications and other opportunities

**Communication and Collaboration**
- Act as a strong ambassador, promoting and representing the within the Garden Industry and wider community
- To organise events and conferences
- Regular communication with members
- To liaise and work with the HTA, GIMA, RHS and other external bodies ensuring agreed aims and objectives of are fulfilled
- To protect the brand image through correct use of logo and ensuring the values are upheld

**Member Benefits**
- Ensure member expectations and agreed service levels are met, continually review and improve member benefits
- To oversee the annual standards inspection process, ensuring it remains relevant, drives members’ standards and is efficient
- To recruit, train and manage the inspectors ensuring continuity, consistency and relevance of the inspection process
- GROW - to ensure the continued growth and relevance of the GROW training platform, to manage the GROW administrator.
- To actively increase the GROW membership in line with annual targets and to ensure this remains profitable
- To actively recruit and retain new members, to welcome and induct them into ensuring they understand the vision, values and benefits of membership and how to access them
- To actively recruit and retain associate members ensuring they are getting value from their membership
- To administer and constantly improve the Barometer of Trade and other benchmarking tools

**About you**
- Experience of working in a Senior Management position
- Experience or knowledge of either the Garden Centre industry or working within a member organisation would be advantageous
- A confident individual with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders
- Influences and implements future strategic plans
- Creates and upholds a culture that is collaborative and supportive
- Protects and promotes the values and is an ambassador within the industry
- Inspires and leads people to achieve the aims
- Is visible and approachable
- Positive and open communicator with the confidence to speak in public
- A ‘can do’ attitude - finds positive solutions to issues and challenges
- Takes pride in their contribution to it
- Collaborative and able to work well in a team and independently
- IT literate with demonstrable knowledge of MS Office including outlook
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Full UK Driving licence
- Willing to travel within the UK and overseas

**Next Steps