Community Garden Project Lead

Canterbury City Council; Thulston; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Canterbury City Council invites applications for a Community Garden Project Lead in the Dover area. You will develop Romney Marsh Community Garden, lead volunteers, coordinate fund-raising, and deliver inclusive environmental programmes.

The role requires hands-on horticulture, project management, partnership building, and monitoring outcomes to ensure a biodiverse, welcoming space while seeking grants to improve infrastructure and programming.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading community, educational, and/or environmental programmes.
• Proven fundraising ability with grants, sponsorships, or partnerships.
• Excellent communicator with diverse audiences.
• Organised, adaptable and able to balance strategy with hands-on work.
• Experience in project management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Committed to community participation, sustainability and chemical-free growing.

Skills

Community leadership

Fundraising & grants

Communication

Project management

Sustainability & gardening

Volunteer coordination

Job description

Community Garden Project Lead

Location: Dover Area

Salary Starting from: £34,804 per annum (DDC Grade H)

Contractual hours: 37

Basis: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Date posted: 02/11/2026

Job reference: DDC0911

Attachments: JD- Community Garden Project Lead.docx

Advert details

Growing together: the Romney Marsh Community Garden

We are looking for a collaborative and proactive individual to lead on the development of the Romney Marsh Community Garden as a thriving, inclusive, and self-sustaining space where people can connect, learn, and enjoy nature.

Working alongside volunteers, partners, and the local community you will combine practical organic horticulture, habitat creation, volunteer leadership, project management and inclusive community programme delivery to ensure the garden becomes a productive, biodiverse, and welcoming space.

Using your experience of identifying and applying for grant funding, you will be proactive in seeking out and securing funding to improve the garden’s infrastructure and to develop a programme of community engagement activities.

What we need from you?

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in leading community, educational, and/or environmental programmes.
• Skilled in fundraising and income generation, with a track record of securing grants, sponsorships, or partnerships.
• An excellent communicator with the ability to engage people from a wide range of ages, abilities and backgrounds.
• Organised, adaptable, and able to balance strategy with hands-on work and oversight.
• Experienced in project management, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Committed to community participation, sustainability, and chemical-free food growing.

Next steps

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Richard Haynes ([e-mail] / 07775 928226) or Martha Noakes ([e-mail] / 07927 588261)

Interviews will be held on 9 December 2026 via Teams; second interviews will be held in person on 16 December 2026.