The Midlands Parks Forum is now in its 6th year as a charity, evolving from a voluntary organisation which supported professionals for over 32 years and acts as the voice to promote and support the regeneration, management and sustainable future of parks and green spaces in the Midlands region.
The forum has become financially sustainable with a blend of subscription fees, external grant funding, sponsorship and earned income, and generating income, driving impact, and shaping the future course of the charity with ambitious plans including seeking funding for the development and delivery of a new training programme for green space practitioners.
The Partnership Manager is supported by a team of 8 trustees, made up of Local Authority, Charitable, and other green spaces organisation representatives.
The Partnership Manager would be expected to work from a home base on most occasions, with regular visits to green spaces for learning visits, training sessions or for meetings. The position offers flexible work hours with the expectation of attending all scheduled meetings and on-site presence required for business needs, learning visits, training, or team collaboration.
There may also be occasional opportunities to operate from hot desks in some of the member Local Authority offices.
Our Objectives
To continue delivery of our vision the following objectives are paramount:
• Promote and support the roles of the Midlands parks and green spaces in supporting cross cutting themes such as health and well-being, quality of life, sustainability, crime and antisocial behaviour, accessibility, environment, education, young people, culture, green infrastructure planning and regeneration.
• Maintain and continue to develop a network of members for the exchange of expertise, experience and information.
• Identify, promote and disseminate good practice in the planning, design, maintenance and management of parks and green spaces in the Midlands.
• Advocate the case for adequate capital and revenue funding for parks and green spaces in local authority budgets and national spending reviews.
• Promote higher standards in skills and training for those responsible for planning, maintaining and managing the Midlands parks and green spaces.
• Promote community involvement in the continued development of parks and open spaces and contribute to the promotion of friends' groups nationally.
Job Description
1. Main Duties
a. Manage the key functions of the charity, including business, charitable and financial planning.
b. Investigate and secure resources such as funding, sponsorship or earned income to ensure the sustainability of The Midlands Parks Forum
c. Maintain and develop regional membership of The Forum.
d. Establish relationships with potential funding organisation.
e. Develop partnerships to support funding bids or sponsorship.
f. Make successful funding bids.
g. Manage an annual learning programme including visits, webinars, workshops, training and an annual conference.
1. To be responsible for the co-ordination and administration of The Midlands Parks Forum
a. Provide a Secretariat for Steering Groups, Board meetings and other forum events
b. Develop and maintain IT systems
c. Establish and maintain effective communication with all partners in the Midlands Parks Forum.
1. Develop and maintain marketing and communications systems across the region to:
a. Contribute to advocacy and promote the forum and open spaces
b. Respond to and disseminate information
c. Advise members on national and regional news and funding opportunities
d. Identify media contacts for the Midlands region, to which media releases should be disseminated to.
1. Assist in the Implementation of the business plan
a. Fundraising and membership development and retention
c. Develop effective partnerships and delivery mechanisms to implement the Forum's key priorities
d. Monitor and review the business plan on a regular basis
e. Plan and implement the annual AGM and conference
1. Develop relationships with key national and regional stakeholders, to:
a. Act as regional point of contact to assist in addressing stakeholder enquiries
b. Coordinate Executive response to regional and national consultations.
1. Provide regular progress and finance reports to the Board of trustees.
2. Assist members in any developmental needs
3. Encourage members to provide best practice examples which can then be disseminated across the Midlands region.
4. Contribute to research and data collection for local, regional and national research.
a. Contribute to the development of performance indicators
b. Contribute to data collection, by capturing annual data
c. Identify and develop opportunities for benchmarking
Management
The Board will provide overall management and support the work programme as the employer of the post holder.
Day to day support will be provided by the board and other team members.
Benefits and Conditions
• Salary £41,740pa pro rata dependent on qualifications and experience
• Permanent contract
• 22.5 hours per week
• 25 days holiday p/a plus Bank holiday entitlements, guidance from depending on hours.
• Travel expenses to visits and meetings.
• Location: home working with on average one site visit per month.