APL Regional Manager South

Full time permanent role- remote working
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 + car allowance

Do you have a passion for landscaping and a talent for building strong, trusted relationships?

The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), a specialist subgroup within the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), is looking for a Regional Manager (South) to grow and support our thriving member community. This newly created role offers a unique opportunity to play a key role working alongside leading landscaping professionals and in raising standards across the landscaping industry.

Why join us?

• Be part of an organisation that champions the horticulture and landscaping industry, supporting businesses to grow and thrive
• Work in a team of highly skilled professionals in an exciting, thriving and growing sector
• An opportunity to grow your skills, mentored by a leading expert in the field, while contributing work that makes a real impact

What we offer you

• Competitive salary and generous benefits, including 30 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays),pension, health cash plan, life assurance, car allowance, employee discounts and an electric vehicle salary-sacrifice scheme
• Structured development, on-the-job learning and support from an experienced and encouraging manager
• Work in a friendly and inclusive working environment

About the HTA and the APL

This is a hugely exciting time for the sector and for the HTA. Gardens and managed green spaces and landscapes have never been more important to the UK – for the economy, for the environment and for the nation’s well-being.

The HTA has 1,400 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA lobbies and campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation. We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, innovate, and network with others in the industry.
We have an effective political lobbying team working to enable the best conditions for our members to flourish across the UK and our research and insights team provide impactful data to help our members run productive and resilient businesses.

The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) comprises accredited landscape companies who design, build and maintain gardens throughout the UK. It also has a strong membership within the Designer sector. The rigorous assessment process to join is one of the toughest within the industry. Along with the initial assessment, each member is re assessed regularly to ensure each member has up to date insurances, complies with health and safety law and their quality of work is the highest possible standard. The APL is the only landscaping scheme operator of TrustMark, a government endorsed initiative that promotes professional trades to consumers.

Our culture

Our culture is built on our values of being Member Focused, Collaborative & Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you’re looking for a workplace where these values are lived everyday, and where you can make a real impact, we’d love you to have you join us.

What you’ll be doing

As Regional Manager, you will be the face of the APL across the South, supporting existing members while actively growing membership in your region. The Southern region includes London, Surrey, East and West Sussex and Kent.This is a highly autonomous, field-based role where you will manage your own diary, being on the road for up to 3-3.5 days per week meeting members, carrying out assessments, and building longterm relationships that strengthen the APL network.

As APL Regional Manager (South), you will be the point of contact for all APL member enquiries and support within the South region, building trusting relationships with our members. As part of your role, you will be required to attend and develop a series of regional cluster meetings for landscaping professionals throughout the year to support and reinforce the member engagement part of APL’s overall strategic ambitions.

A typical week might include:

• Visiting landscaping businesses to carry out assessments and provide feedback
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring assessment outcomes are captured in line with APL and TrustMark requirements
• Converting a new enquiry into an active APL member
• Attending and supporting a cluster meeting in the South
• Representing APL at a trade and consumer show
• Sharing regional insights with APL and HTA teams to support continuous improvement and alignment with APL and HTA strategic direction

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the Regional representative for APL/HTA, being the point of contact to APL members and potential members in the allocated region
• Follow up all new member enquiries within the given parameters
• Manage diary and visits in an efficient manner ensuring time spent is useful and routes are economical
• Complete assessments (both new member and existing) in a professional manner, offering feedback to members and signposting support available on the HTA website
• Maintain Cluster meetings for the South of England working with regional Chairs and place dates on the HTA Calendar. Liaise with APL General Manager to provide a programme of Super Clusters.
• More details of the roles and responsibilities can be found in the Role Profile

What you’ll bring

Essential Experience & Skills

• Previous experience within the Landscaping industry or a background in account management, business development or assessment/inspection roles
• The ability to work independently and as part of the organisational wide team
• A proactive, self-motivated approach with a ‘can do’ attitude
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, both verbal and written.
• Prepared to travel extensively across the region including overnight stays, with a willingness to be flexible on hours if necessary
• Full UK driving license

Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• An enthusiasm for gardens/gardening, the outdoor environment and contributing positively towards it
• Knowledge of Landscaping specifications

How to apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to: [email protected]. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 8th May. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes. We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination. We will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.

his role requires extensive travel for assessments and meetings. Applicants may also be required for overnight stays and will need to be flexible with working hours when necessary.

This role is open to direct applicants only. No agencies please.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK, be able to drive and have access to a vehicle.