Company: Horticultural Trades Association

Apply for the Member Development Manager

Location: Chilton

Job Description:

Location: Chilton, Oxfordshire (office-based with hybrid working)

We welcome applications from candidates seeking either full-time or part-time working arrangements.

Ready to shape the future of the UK’s horticultural industry?

We’re looking for an innovative, pro-active professional who is passionate about understanding member needs, identifying opportunities and turning ideas into successful initiatives that create value for businesses across the horticultural sector.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) in a newly created role focused on developing and enhancing our member proposition. As Member Development Manager, you’ll play a key role in identifying emerging opportunities, developing new programmes and services, and helping ensure the HTA remains at the forefront of supporting member businesses and the wider industry.

Working closely with the Director of Membership & Marketing, you’ll lead initiatives from concept through to successful implementation, bringing together insight, innovation and stakeholder engagement to deliver meaningful outcomes for members. You will play a key part in galvanising the organisation to get behind initiatives that develop our members businesses.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future direction of member development within the UK’s leading horticultural trade association and make a lasting impact on the sector.

The HTA exists to help our members flourish and plays a vital role in supporting, representing and championing businesses across the horticultural sector.

As our new Member Development Manager, you’ll help shape the future of our membership offering by exploring emerging sectors, developing industry-leading programmes and driving innovation across the organisation.

You’ll work directly with members, industry leaders, committees and colleagues across the HTA to understand challenges, uncover opportunities and turn ideas into initiatives that deliver genuine value.

This is a highly visible role with significant scope to influence strategic decisions, develop new concepts and become a recognised advocate for member development across the horticultural industry.It’s a role where your ideas, initiative and ability to turn opportunities into reality will genuinely matter.

What we can offer you

A meaningful role where you’ll have the autonomy to take ownership, contribute ideas and help shape improvements
A competitive salary and generous benefits package, including 30 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays, pension, health cash plan, life assurance, employee discount scheme, employee assistance programme, cycle to work and electric vehicle schemes, and free on-site parking with EV charging facilities
A comprehensive induction programme, providing structured support and training on our systems, processes and ways of working from day one
Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you build your skills, broaden your experience and grow your career
Support and coaching from experienced and approachable managers who are invested in helping you succeed
Work alongside passionate and knowledgeable colleagues who are committed to delivering excellent outcomes for our members

About the HTA

This is a hugely exciting time for the sector and for the HTA. Gardens and managed green spaces and landscapes have never been more important to the UK – for the economy, for the environment and for the nation’s well-being.

The HTA has 1,400 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA lobbies and campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation. We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, innovate, and network with others in the industry.

We have been running the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962. These garden gift cards can be bought and redeemed at HTA garden centre members sites throughout the UK and can also be purchased online and in some supermarket gift card malls. It is the biggest garden gift card scheme in the country – locking in around £40 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members’ businesses.

Our culture

Our culture is built on our values of being Member Focused, Collaborative & Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you’re looking for a workplace where these values are lived every day, and where you can make a real impact, we’d love you to join us.

What you’ll be doing

As Member Development Manager, you’ll identify, develop and deliver initiatives that strengthen the HTA’s member proposition and support the future growth of both the organisation and the wider industry.

You’ll work closely with members, stakeholders and colleagues to understand emerging challenges, industry trends and market needs, developing business cases and recommendations that translate insight into action.

The role combines strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, project leadership and innovation. You’ll lead programmes and initiatives from concept through to implementation, ensuring they deliver measurable value for members and align with the HTA’s strategic priorities.

As a key advocate for member development across the organisation, you’ll work collaboratively with teams throughout the HTA to build support, drive delivery and maximise impact.

This is an office-based role in Chilton, Oxfordshire, with regular travel throughout the UK. Building strong working relationships across teams is key to success in this position. We offer hybrid working, providing flexibility to work from home on agreed days where business needs allow. Regular on-site attendance in our office each week is an essential requirement.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand the HTA’s member proposition
Developing business cases and recommendations for new initiatives, programmes and services
Leading member-focused projects and programmes from concept through to successful delivery
Gathering and analysing member, market and industry insight to inform decision-making
Exploring opportunities to engage new and emerging sectors within horticulture
Building strong relationships with members, committees, stakeholders and colleagues across the organisation
Securing stakeholder buy-in and cross-functional support for new initiatives
Monitoring performance and evaluating the impact of programmes and activities

For full details on the role and responsibilities, please read the Role Profile below.

What you’ll bring

To be successful in this role, you’ll combine commercial awareness, project leadership skills and a strong understanding of the horticultural sector with the ability to build relationships and turn ideas into action.

Essential experience, qualifications and skills

Experience working within the horticultural sector and/or a horticulture qualification, with a strong understanding of the industry’s structure, challenges, opportunities and key stakeholders
Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects, programmes and initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, risks and return on investment
Experience developing business cases, proposals and recommendations for senior stakeholders
Proven ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders and collaborate effectively across diverse groups
Strong written, verbal and presentation skills
Ability to analyse information and use insight to support decision-making
Confidence engaging and presenting to senior stakeholders
Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, with the ability and willingness to undertake occasional business travel to member sites, industry locations, meetings and events, including occasional overnight stays
Experience working within a membership organisation, trade association or not-for-profit environment
Knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the horticultural industry, gardens and the wider outdoor environment.

The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes. We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination. We will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

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