Community Growing Programme Coordinator

The role will be part of the Council’s Sustainability Team, a passionate and dedicated team with a vision is to make Coventry the UK’s leading sustainable city, improving the quality of life for all, as set out in our Climate Change Strategy.

Tackling inequalities in our city, addressing the causes and consequences of climate change and driving economic growth are key priorities for the Council to improve outcomes for our city. Working in this area provides a unique opportunity to influence plans and deliver on-the-ground action to support all three outcomes.

We seek to be bold and innovative in our approach, working collaboratively with partners and our communities to drive real change – whether that’s our pioneering 15-year Strategic Energy Partnership with E.ON; place-based neighbourhood improvement programmes to retrofit schools, homes and green streets; and our Nature Towns and Cities programme Green for All, which seeks to address inequalities in access to green space across the city. We’ve been piloting community growing at four locations across the city and now have a mandate to create a ‘right to grow’ across the city, so that residents and groups are able to take underused plots of land and turn them into accessible green spaces for food growing, well-being and nature.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create an inclusive workplace culture that is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias. That’s why we are looking for people from diverse backgrounds who are passionate, dedicated, and, like us, determined to make real, positive change in Coventry.

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Help Coventry turn underused land into vibrant green spaces. This is your chance to play a key role in delivering the city’s Community Growing Programme, supporting residents and communities to create places that boost wellbeing, strengthen neighbourhoods, and support nature.

What you’ll do

• Lead and coordinate the Community Growing Programme

• Support communities to identify and develop growing sites

• Build strong relationships with residents, partners and Council teams

• Ensure projects follow Council policies and procedures

• Monitor impact and help evaluate programme success

• Promote inclusive participation, especially in green‑deprived areas

You’ll help Coventry:

• Improve access to green space

• Strengthen communities

• Support climate and nature resilience

You’ll act as the key link between the Council, communities and partner organisations — enabling residents to grow food, support wildlife, and shape greener neighbourhoods.

This role is fixed-term for 3 years.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

We’re looking for someone passionate about sustainable horticulture and urban growing, with the confidence to coordinate projects and work closely with communities across Coventry.

You’ll bring:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders
• The ability to present complex information clearly
• Solid project coordination and problem‑solving skills
• Experience managing or coordinating complex, multi‑partner projects
• A track record of working with diverse communities and building effective partnerships
• Confidence using IT systems (Microsoft Office essential; GIS desirable)

You’ll also have:

• A degree or equivalent experience
• A commitment to ongoing professional development
• Flexibility to attend occasional meetings outside normal hours

If you’re someone who can build relationships, deliver innovative solutions, and help communities transform spaces for people and nature, we’d love to hear from you.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date(s): Friday 10 July & Monday 13 July

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies