Youth and Family Participation Coordinator in Haywards Heath

Working closely with the Participation Manager, you will help shape and develop programmes using collaborative approaches with community groups, schools and youth organisations. This will include building partnerships that support sustained engagement with underserved audiences and encourage young people and families to explore ongoing opportunities within Wakehurst.

An Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role. We are looking for someone with significant experience of working with young people, families and community groups, with a strong emphasis on outreach and partnership development. You will have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships with schools, youth organisations and community partners, and of successfully bringing new audiences into programmes or engagement opportunities.

You will be confident working externally and proactively developing connections, with significant experience of engaging under-served communities and a strong understanding of the barriers that can prevent people from accessing nature, science and cultural spaces. You will play a key role in contributing to the growth of youth and family audiences at Wakehurst by identifying participation trends, developing targeted outreach approaches and working with partners to remove barriers to participation and improve access to engagement opportunities.

You will support the development of clear pathways that enable participants to move from initial engagement into deeper involvement with Wakehurst’s programmes, including opportunities linked to the Community Access Scheme. You will be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple relationships and coordinate projects effectively while working collaboratively with colleagues across different teams.

An interest in nature, conservation or environmental engagement is important, alongside a genuine passion for supporting people to connect with the natural world. Experience of developing new participation initiatives, and embedding inclusive practice within programmes, as well as knowledge of evaluation and safeguarding, would be beneficial.

This role is based at Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

About Us: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably.

We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history. Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post. No agencies please.