Senior Technical Policy Executive

Full time | Permanent | Office-based with hybrid working Location: Chilton, Oxfordshire (office-based with hybrid working). Regular UK travel required.

Ready to help shape the future of horticulture policy in the UK? We're looking for a technically minded and commercially aware individual who can translate complex legislation and regulation into practical advice that helps horticultural businesses thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Horticulture Trade Association (HTA's) Policy Team at a time when environmental horticulture faces significant regulatory, trade and policy challenges and opportunities.

As Senior Technical Policy Executive, you'll play a key role in advising members, influencing government and regulatory stakeholders and helping shape policies that affect businesses across the sector. This is also a genuinely unique opportunity to combine technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and policy influence within a national membership organisation that represents and champions one of the UK's most important and environmentally beneficial industries.

The environmental horticulture sector contributes significantly to the UK's economy, environment and wellbeing. As the industry's leading trade association, the HTA plays a vital role in ensuring members' voices are heard by government, regulators and policymakers. As our new Senior Technical Policy Executive, you'll become a trusted source of expertise on key technical and regulatory issues including Plant Health, Invasive Non-Native Species and CITES. You'll work directly with members, government departments, regulators and industry stakeholders to understand challenges, influence policy development and deliver practical solutions.

In this varied and rewarding role, no two days are the same. You could be responding to a member enquiry, drafting a consultation response, presenting at a member event, meeting with Defra officials or researching the implications of emerging legislation. It's a role where your knowledge, analysis and influencing skills will directly support member businesses and help shape the future of the horticulture industry.

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 pivotal and exciting time for the HTA and the environmental horticulture sector. 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 wellbeing. The HTA has 1,350 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 a highly effective political lobbying team working to enable the best conditions for our members to flourish across the UK and our research and insights team provides impactful data to help our members run productive and resilient businesses. 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 for you to join us.

What you’ll be doing:

As Senior Technical Policy Executive, you'll provide expert technical and policy advice to HTA members, colleagues and stakeholders on a range of legislative, regulatory and trade issues affecting the environmental horticulture sector. Reporting to the Technical Trade & Policy Manager, you'll lead on key policy areas including Plant Health, Invasive Non-Native Species and CITES, while supporting a wider portfolio of technical and regulatory issues. You'll monitor policy developments, assess their impact on members, develop policy positions and represent HTA interests with government departments, regulators and industry stakeholders. This role combines technical expertise, policy development, stakeholder engagement and influencing activity. You'll play an important role in ensuring members receive clear, practical and commercially focused advice, while helping the HTA shape policy outcomes that support a thriving and sustainable horticulture industry.

This is a highly collaborative and externally facing role that requires regular engagement with members, government departments, regulators, industry bodies and other key stakeholders. Based in our Chilton, Oxfordshire office, this role requires regular on-site attendance each week to build strong working relationships across teams. We offer hybrid working, providing flexibility to work from home on agreed days where business needs allow. There will also be regular travel within the UK for this role.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing expert advice and guidance for members on Plant Health, CITES, Invasive Non-Native Species and other technical policy issues
• Monitoring legislative, regulatory and policy developments affecting the horticulture sector
• Researching and developing consultation responses, policy papers, briefings and member guidance
• Building effective relationships with members, government departments, regulators and industry stakeholders
• Representing HTA interests at meetings, working groups, events and industry forums
• Delivering presentations, webinars and technical updates to members and stakeholders
• Supporting the development of policy positions and influencing activity that deliver positive outcomes for members

What you’ll bring:

To be successful in this role, you'll bring a combination of technical knowledge, policy awareness, analytical thinking and strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Essential experience, qualifications and skills:

• Degree or similar level qualification in horticulture, plant science, agriculture, environmental science, public policy or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience working in commercial horticulture, environmental horticulture or a related sector
• Good understanding of legislation, regulation and compliance requirements affecting the horticulture industry
• Ability to interpret complex technical or regulatory information and communicate it clearly to a range of audiences
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify risks, opportunities and practical solutions
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience drafting briefings, reports, guidance or consultation responses
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, with confidence engaging a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience building effective working relationships with members, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the impact of regulatory and policy developments on businesses
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience maintaining accurate records or CRM systems
• Full UK driving licence, access to your own vehicle and willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK
• Experience working in a policy, regulatory, public affairs, trade association or membership organisation environment
• Knowledge of UK and devolved government policy-making processes
• Experience engaging with government departments, regulators or policy-influencing stakeholders
• Experience developing policy positions, consultation responses or technical guidance
• Knowledge of Plant Health, CITES, Invasive Non-Native Species, Plant Variety Rights, Seed Certification or related policy areas
• Experience leading policy, regulatory or stakeholder engagement projects
• Experience presenting to committees, working groups or stakeholder audiences

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.