Work with us
People and plants have shaped Chelsea Physic Garden since 1673. The people who currently work or volunteer in the garden still believe in the power of plants.
Current vacancies
Chelsea Heritage Quarter Trustee/Chair
Chelsea Heritage Quarter is seeking a Trustee with broad, senior level, experience of the culture/heritage/GLAM sector to support the CHQ Board on programming and fundraising. There is an opportunity for the appointed Trustee to Chair the CHQ Board. There is more information linked below.
Closing date: Friday 1 August 2025, 5pm.
For further information please see www.chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk or contact Gill Webber, Director, Chelsea Heritage Quarter:
Learning & Horticulture Trainee
Position: 1 year, fixed term funded role. Average of 35 Hours per week. Hours will change depending on whether you are working with the horticulture team or learning team.
Salary: £25,201
About the role:
Applications are now open for our paid Learning and Horticultural Traineeship.
Are you curious about plants and thinking of a career in horticulture or nature-based engagement? Then this role is for you. Apply via our website to join our friendly team.
This paid traineeship will encompass twelve months working alongside our team of experienced educators, gardeners, volunteers and wider team of experts. The Trainee will have the chance to hone their practical skills within a botanical garden in both engagement and horticulture, alongside studying towards RHS level 1 (or equivalent). The trainee will work outside in the garden with the horticultural team and with the learning and public engagement team.
We work an average 35 hour week and you will sometimes be asked to work at the weekends for special events for which you will get time off in lieu. The salary on appointment is £25,201 plus pension, employee welfare scheme, and more.
This Traineeship has been made possible thanks to the support of the BAND Trust.
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 14th September
Interviews: Monday 29 September
To apply: Please complete the job application form below, and equal opportunities form and email to: .
Head of Learning and Public Engagement (Fixed term until June 2026)
Salary: £44,000
About the role:
Chelsea Physic Garden is looking for an exceptional Head of Learning and Public Engagement to lead our Learning & Engagement department and help shape the next chapter of one of London’s most historic and inspiring gardens. This is a rare opportunity to combine creativity and leadership, working at the heart of a unique organisation as we deliver an ambitious new 10-year strategy.
We are seeking a dynamic leader with a passion for learning and engagement who can inspire colleagues, build partnerships, and bring innovative ideas to life. In this role, you will oversee a rich programme of activity, from our co-created LGBTQ+ project and the development and delivery of our 2026 programme, to new initiatives that will ensure the Garden remains relevant and accessible for years to come. You will also play a key role in embedding the new organisational strategy, while leaving your own creative mark on future projects.
This fixed-term position is to cover an internal maternity secondment and will run until June 2026. For the right candidate, it offers the chance to lead an ambitious and growing programme, develop your skills at senior leadership level, and make a lasting impact on London’s oldest outdoor classroom.
Closing Date: Midnight 14 September
Interview date: Tuesday 23 September
We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible, to make the most of the opportunity. If you are unable to attend the proposed interview date, please include this information in the email accompanying your application.
To apply: Please complete the job application form below, and equal opportunities form and email to:
Project Director
Position: 2 years, with possibility to extend subject to funding.
Part-time 28 hours per week, normally over 4 days, at least 2 days of which site-based.
Salary: £44,000 – £48,000.
About the role:
Chelsea Physic Garden seeks an experienced Project Director who will bring their expertise to serve our bold vision, enabling us to realise our creative direction and 10-year strategy.
Confident and experienced in leading teams of contractors, developers, designers, engineers and other professionals, the Project Director will devise an effective delivery plan that support the Garden’s architectural masterplan.
To apply: Please complete the job application form below, and equal opportunities form and email to: .
If completing the application form would present a barrier to you applying for this role, please contact: , providing brief details of the issue for you and we will do our best to agree suitable alternative arrangements for your application.
Closing date: Monday 26 May, 5pm.
First interviews: on site, on Monday 2 June.
Project Director
Position: 2 years, with possibility to extend subject to funding.
Part-time 28 hours per week, normally over 4 days, at least 2 days of which site-based.
Salary: £44,000 – £48,000.
About the role:
Chelsea Physic Garden seeks an experienced Project Director who will bring their expertise to serve our bold vision, enabling us to realise our creative direction and 10-year strategy.
Confident and experienced in leading teams of contractors, developers, designers, engineers and other professionals, the Project Director will devise an effective delivery plan that support the Garden’s architectural masterplan.
To apply: Please complete the job application form below, and equal opportunities form and email to: .
If completing the application form would present a barrier to you applying for this role, please contact: , providing brief details of the issue for you and we will do our best to agree suitable alternative arrangements for your application.
Closing date: Monday 26 May, 5pm.
First interviews: on site, on Monday 2 June.
Project Director
Position: 2 years, with possibility to extend subject to funding.
Part-time 28 hours per week, normally over 4 days, at least 2 days of which site-based.
Salary: £44,000 – £48,000.
About the role:
Chelsea Physic Garden seeks an experienced Project Director who will bring their expertise to serve our bold vision, enabling us to realise our creative direction and 10-year strategy.
Confident and experienced in leading teams of contractors, developers, designers, engineers and other professionals, the Project Director will devise an effective delivery plan that support the Garden’s architectural masterplan.
To apply: Please complete the job application form below, and equal opportunities form and email to: .
If completing the application form would present a barrier to you applying for this role, please contact: , providing brief details of the issue for you and we will do our best to agree suitable alternative arrangements for your application.
Closing date: Monday 26 May, 5pm.
First interviews: on site, on Monday 2 June.
Our Application form is available to download, please use it for the job you wish to apply for, clearly stating the role you are applying for. Also, please complete and send us this equal opportunities form with your application. Please note, that we cannot accept applications via a CV or resume, and we can only consider applications from UK residents or those with the right to work in the UK.
Chelsea Physic Garden is an inclusive employer. If any aspect of our application process poses a barrier to you, please get in contact via and reasonable adjustments can be arranged.
Chelsea Physic Garden is a London Living Wage Employer
Chelsea Physic Garden has existed on the banks of the Thames since 1673, delivering its founding mission to demonstrate the importance of medicinal and herbal plants to the well-being of humankind.
The Garden has a successful education programme, a thriving membership and annually welcomes over 50,000 visitors. As a financially self-supporting charity, the Garden’s challenge for the future is to reinforce its relevance and popularity whilst strengthening its diverse income streams.
Chelsea Physic Garden is an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from everyone, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and people from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Working at Chelsea Physic Garden is rewarding; not only do you get to work in an iconic and beautiful location, a number of benefits exist for employees. To view them click below.
Become a Horticultural Trainee
Horticultural traineeships give trainees a chance to experience the various aspects of working in a small botanic garden, gaining experience in practical horticulture and the management of a unique plant collection, with scientific research and educational applications, both outdoors and under glass.
Our 2023/2024 Horticultural Trainee is generously supported by the Rick Mather and David Scrase Foundation.
An additional two-year entry-level trainee post is funded as part of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project to restore our historic glasshouses, our thanks go to all the funders.
We also rely a large network of volunteers
Are you a people person dedicated to a high standard of customer service, who would like to spend time in London’s oldest botanic garden?