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
Trustees (voluntary role)
About the role:
Under the leadership of a new Chair, the Garden is entering into an exciting and ambitious period. The Board are looking to appoint a number of new Trustees to build on the work already achieved by the Board and senior leadership team as we move forward to implement our new strategy.
There are a number of areas of specialism that the Garden is keen to bring to the Board and sub-committees so that they can ensure that the diversity of skills required can continue to support the executive team and help them further develop. We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience of:
- Capital Project Management, someone with direct experience of managing or overseeing a major capital project ideally in cultural heritage sector
- Horticulture/Horticultural Science
- Fundraising
Find out more in the Recruitment Pack, see the link link below.
To apply:
Please let us have a CV and a cover letter confirming your suitability areas to: . Interviews will be undertaken by a panel of serving Trustees supported by the Garden’s Director.
Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, Sunday 30 March 2025.
Programme Coordinator – Chelsea Heritage Quarter
Position: Freelance, 4 days a week, 46 weeks.
Location: minimum 2 days on site at one of the partner venues. Some flexibility in hours and days will be required from time to time.
Fee: £27,900 one year freelance contract.
About the Role
We are seeking a programme co-ordinator with a passion for history and heritage and experience of the culture sector to join the team. A self-starter, you are an events and marketing professional with a minimum 3 years experience and excellent project management, administration and destination marketing skills. You will be working with the Director, Chelsea Heritage Quarter, and creative teams from all partner organisations to deliver an exciting programme including our flagship event, the Chelsea History Festival.
This is a fantastic and rare opportunity to work on a culture charity start up and, while we await confirmation of our charitable status, help establish the Quarter as a must-see visitor destination telling stories about the UK’s rich history through the remarkable history and heritage of Chelsea. If this sounds exciting, we’d love to hear from you.
Launched in summer 2024, the Chelsea Heritage Quarter is a new venture backed by Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Hospital Chelsea, National Army Museum and Cadogan. We attract visitors by telling stories about the UK’s rich history through the remarkable history and heritage of Chelsea.
See the full job description for further details.
Closing date: Friday 23 May, 6pm, 2025.
To apply please send your cv and maximum two page covering letter 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.
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?