Are you looking for a rewarding role working with nature in a tranquil environment?
Would you like to support improvements in people’s health through growing plants and working with nature?
If so, the Horticultural Therapy Trust (HTT) is looking to grow its team.
We are looking for a Community Business Manager to support delivery of an ongoing project at our garden haven base in the Penlee Valley, Milehouse, Plymouth.
About us
The Horticultural Therapy Trust is a small grass roots charity established in 2012.
Its primary focus is delivering participant-led and community-based therapeutic gardening projects to support people with mental health challenges (neurodiversity, physical illness and brain injuries etc.)
For more information on our projects visit www.Horticultural-Therapy-Trust.org
The role:
As a Charity Business Manager, you will work alongside Deb Hoskin one of the founders and HTT’s current Project Manager with Trustees to oversee finances, HR, Policies and Procedures, management of reporting systems and some fundraising.
· Hours: 12 hours per week negotiable but at least 3hrs based at Penlee Valley Allotments
· Pay: £16 per hour
· Employment status: PAYE or Self-employed
· Employment type: Permanent Part-Time (subject to successful completion of a 3 month probation period).
For more information on the role please see Job Description and Person Specification below.
How to apply:
To apply for the role please send a CV and a brief statement outlining your reasons for applying to: [email protected]
· Closing date: 23/08/2026
· Interviews: week commencing 24/08/26
· Provisional start date: 03/09/2026
HTT is an equal opportunities employer if you feel you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please get in touch.
The role has potential for growth, subject to the attainment of new funding
Job Description
Post Title: Charity Business Manager
Base: Home / HTT, Penlee Valley Allotments
Reporting to: Trustees & Therapeutic Project Manager
Responsible for: Overseeing finances, HR, Policies and Procedures,
organisational lead, management of reporting systems and some fundraising.
Gross Salary: 12hrs week @ £16hr x 52 weeks = £9,984 PA
Pension Contribution: Automatic enrolment with Nest with 3% of salary
Contract Period: Initially 12 months, then permanent subject to funding
Contract Hours: Part-time (12 hours per week) It may occasionally be
necessary to attend meetings outside of normal working
hours (for which time off in lieu will be given or extra
hours paid as arranged).
(Potential growth linked to own fundraising success).
Role Purpose:
To lead the organisational systems that underpin HTT’s work including: financial oversight, digital systems like Xero Accounting, Microsoft SharePoint, data management, HR processes, people systems, and fundraising. This role ensures HTT has reliable infrastructure and sustainable income by maintaining existing funder relationships, prospecting for new grants, and coordinating the administrative and planning elements of fundraising.
The role provides organisational oversight, risk awareness, and income development, enabling the team to focus on delivering high‑quality horticultural therapy work. Growth of this role is directly linked to new philanthropy and fundraising success.
Core Responsibilities & Suggested Time Focus
1. Financial Management — 8–16 hrs/month
· Maintain an overview of all organisational budgets, consolidating project budgets into a clear organisational picture
· Maintain financial records, including bookkeeper/accounting responsibilities to ensure financial records are accurate and up to date in Xero, liaising with Project Management Staff (on the ground).
· Prepare monthly financial summaries and reports for trustees
· Lead cashflow forecasting and financial planning with help from Xero accounting
· Support budget development for funding bids and grant applications
· Flag financial risks early and support decision‑making with the team and trustees
2. Organisational Systems — 8–16 hrs/month
· Ownership of IT and digital systems (including Microsoft 365)
· Ensure shared systems e.g. SharePoint and data management processes are clear, accessible, and secure
· Lead GDPR systems and compliance monitoring
· Maintain systems that ensure policies and procedures are implemented in practice
· Develop and maintain systems that support monitoring and reporting of organisational impact
3. People & HR Systems — 6–12 hrs/month
HR Systems & Processes
· Maintain HR systems including annual leave tracking, expenses processes, timesheets, and staff records
· Ensure HR documentation is up to date, accessible, and compliant
· Maintain training records and compliance requirements
· Coordinate staff learning and development planning
· Support wellbeing and development processes through structured systems
Recruitment & Onboarding
· Lead recruitment processes, including advertising, shortlisting, scheduling, and documentation, with help from the Project Support Officer.
· Coordinate onboarding, induction, and early-stage support for new staff
· Maintain role descriptions, induction materials and compliance documentation
4. Fundraising & Philanthropy — 10–20 hrs/month (variable)
Fundraising Systems & Administration
· Maintain and improve fundraising systems, including funder records, deadlines, reporting cycles, and compliance requirements
· Ensure all funder documentation, evidence, and reporting materials are organised and accessible
Maintaining Current Fundraising Sources & Relationships
· Maintain and steward existing funder relationships
· Coordinate reporting requirements with project leads and trustees
· Ensure timely, accurate, and well‑structured funder communication
· Strengthen funder stewardship to support long-term sustainability
Grant Prospecting & Pipeline Development
· Prospect for new grants aligned with HTT’s mission, capacity, and strategic direction
· Maintain a live pipeline of potential funders
· Conduct eligibility checks, deadline tracking, and application planning
· Lead administrative preparation for bids (documents, evidence, budgets, attachments, compliance checks)
Bid Development & Submission
· Lead the administrative and systems side of bid construction
· Draft or co‑draft funding applications
· Work with project leads to shape deliverables, budgets, and timelines
· Ensure bids are submitted on time and stored correctly
Role Growth Linked to Fundraising Success
· As fundraising income increases, the role expands in hours and scope
· The role becomes a key driver of organisational sustainability and future capacity
5. Shared Team Commitments* — 16–20 hrs/month
· Weekly team meeting — 1.5 hrs/week
· Monthly/6‑weekly 1:1 / supervision — 2 hrs/month
· Responding to enquiries sent directly to you — 1 hr/week
· Internal communication (email, shared docs, messages) — 1–2 hrs/week
· Quarterly strategic team meeting — 6 hrs/quarter
· Trustee engagement (monthly 1:1) — 1 hr/month
· Quarterly trustee meeting sit‑in (rotating staff member) — 4–6 hrs/year/quarter
· Learning & development (individual/group) — 2–4 hrs/quarter
Charity Business Manager Person Specification
Requirements Essential (E) or Desirable (D)
1. Experience
Successful working on multi-partner projects relating to community development E
Leading community engagement and networking programmes E
Development of Community Projects D
Experience in operational management and performance management support E
Project and budget management E
Writing detailed reports as needed E
Supporting the development of organisational strategies and policies E
Staff Management on behalf of the Trustees E
Working with key stakeholders, public agencies, businesses & community groups E
2. Education and Training
Degree level qualification in relevant subject D
GCSE Maths and English grade 4 or C equivalent or higher E
Minimum of 5+ years relevant experience E
Ongoing commitment to CPD D
Membership of an appropriate professional body (if available) D
3. Skills and Abilities
Full suite of Microsoft packages E
Xero Accounting D
Excellent IT skills E
Good written communication skills E
Record keeping/organisational skills E
Good verbal communication and meeting facilitation E
Good leadership, negotiation skills and ability to work with a range of people E
Experienced in fund generation and funding applications D
4. Knowledge
A commitment to sustainability D
Knowledge of Community Engagement E
Therapeutic knowledge of mental health conditions D
An awareness of Horticultural Therapy D
5. Personality Factors
Good interpersonal skills E
Supportive team player E
Attention to detail E
Reliable E
Self-motivated E
Able to work under pressure E
6. Other Requirements
Flexible approach to work duties E
Observe requirements for confidentiality E
Driving License and willingness to drive D
Pay: £16.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Plymouth PL3 4AP
