Job Title: Centre Manager - Reading
Location: Thrive, Reading with option for hybrid (after probation)
Salary: £33,000
Hours: Full-time (35 hours)
Contract: Permanent
We're looking for a proactive and inspiring Centre Manager to lead our passionate and committed team in Reading, ensuring we continue to deliver outstanding services for client gardeners.
This is a varied and rewarding leadership role that combines operational management, people leadership, and business development. You'll play a key part in growing our impact by developing new partnerships, building strong relationships with stakeholders, and expanding both our on-site and outreach programmes.
To succeed in this role, you'll be a confident and adaptable manager who can balance day-to-day operational demands with strategic thinking and creativity. You'll enjoy problem-solving, prioritising competing demands, and managing a diverse workload where no two days are the same.
We're looking for someone who:
• Has strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Can foster positive collaboration across teams and functions
• Has experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Brings commercial awareness and business development experience
• Has experience working in the charity, social care, health, or related sectors
In return, Thrive offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, working with a values-driven charity that transforms lives through gardening and nature. In addition, you’ll be working in a collaborative and supportive organisation at our National Office, set in 3 acres of beautiful grounds.
For more information, please download the Information Pack. For an informal conversation about the role, please email recruitment (recruitment@thrive.org.uk) in
the first instance.
To Apply:
Please email recruitment (recruitment@thrive.org.uk) with your CV and a written statement explaining how you meet the person specification and what you will bring to Thrive.
Closing date for applications: Friday 25 September 2026.
First Stage Interviews: Tuesday 6 October. Second Interviews will be scheduled for the following week.
This is a national charity, established in 1979. We use Social & Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) to make a positive impact for people living with disabilities or ill health, or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable.
We have three fantastic gardens and centres, located in London, Reading and Birmingham. We also offering training in STH from introduction all the way through to diploma level.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from anyone who meets the requirements for a particular position. We will always contact you to let you know the result of your application.
Join us and be part of something amazing!
As users of the disability confident scheme, Thrive guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
Do you want Thrive to advertise a job involving social and therapeutic horticulture? Our jobs page is viewed more than 1,000 times each month*.
As well as posting your vacancy, we will promote the post through our social media channels, where we have more than 18,000 combined followers.
Advertising a job with us costs £35 per week or £90 for 3 weeks or more.
Please provide copy, images, a logo and any website links.
For more information or to place an advert contact us on 0118 988 5688 or email us.
*Google Analytics figures, 2023 data