Head Gardner at Kingston Maurward

Dorset Council UK; Thames Centre; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant team at a beautiful 18th Century estate, where you will lead a dedicated group of gardeners in maintaining stunning grounds and gardens. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with nature and inspire students while managing a variety of horticultural tasks. With a commitment to professional development and a range of benefits, this position is perfect for those passionate about horticulture and team leadership. Enjoy working in a picturesque setting while contributing to the educational environment of a renowned institution.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

25 Days Holiday

On-site Accommodation

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free On-site Car Parking

On-site Catering Facilities

Optional Health Cash Plan

Free Gym Access

Career Development Opportunities

Reduced Horse Livery Rate

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds and tree maintenance work is essential.
• Ability to engage and motivate staff and students.
• Full, clean driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team responsible for grounds maintenance and planting.
• Manage mowing, maintenance of planted areas, and tree surveys.
• Oversee the substantial glasshouses for plant production.

Skills

Horticultural Skills

Grounds Maintenance

Driving Light Commercial Vehicles

Towing Trailers

Team Leadership

Education

Horticulture Qualification

Tools

Handheld Machinery

Job description

For this role, we are looking for reliable, conscientious and highly motivated applicants to join us on our 18th Century Estate in the heart of Dorset. Our lovely 35-acre formal gardens were created by the Hanbury Family between 1915 and 1922 with year-round interest including two National Plant collections, sweeping lawns, lakeside walks, walled garden within the eighteenth-century Capability Brown style parkland setting and the vestiges of a Victorian garden. We also have wooded areas, sports lawns, footpaths and large areas of recreational grass used by our students, staff and visitors.

Management of the substantial glasshouses forms a major part of the Head Gardeners role. This area houses the main teaching rooms and, is used for the production and protection of the Kingston Maurward plant stock.

The successful candidates will also lead a team of gardeners responsible for: grounds maintenance work, planting and pruning across all areas of the Kingston Maurward Estate, including in our listed gardens walled garden and wooded areas. Duties will include managing the mowing of large grassed areas, maintenance of planted areas, survey and management of trees and wooded areas.

Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence and have experience of driving light commercial vehicles and towing trailers. Applicants must have a can-do attitude and the ability to enthuse, engage and motivate staff and students Previous experience of grounds and tree maintenance work, skilled horticultural tasks and use of handheld machinery is essential.

For an informal discussion about the role, the qualifications needed or your suitability, please call Mark Burgess on 01305 215000, option 1 extension 3304 during normal working hours.

Benefits

In addition to working on the beautiful 17th Century Estate, you will benefit from the following:

• Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme. This is a defined benefit scheme with generous employer contributions
• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)
• On-site Accommodation
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• A range of on-site catering facilities
• Optional health cash plan
• Free use of the on-site gym
• Career development opportunities
• Reduced on-site horse livery rate - subject to suitability
• Strong College Values - Inspire, Challenge and Care
  
  

The college doesn’t hold a sponsorship licence therefore we are not open to candidates who require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Status: Permanent

Hours: 39 hours per week Monday - Friday with weekend glasshouse / nursery duties on a rota basis

Salary: £34,898 per annum for 39 hours which is point 29 on the salary scales.

To Apply

Please visit the KMC website for a College Application Form and a full Job Description.

Applicants for this position must complete an employment application form. CVs may be submitted but only in support of a fully completed application form.

We are not accepting CVs at this stage from Recruitment Agencies: any submissions without prior authorisation from the HR Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Please return the completed Application Form by email to [e-mail] or by post to: HR Department, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PY.

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 16 May 2025 at 9:00am

Proposed Interview Date: w/c 19 May 2025

We reserve the right to close this position before the published date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Kingston Maurward College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

The College welcomes applications from people with a disability and will offer interviews to all those who are able to reasonably fulfil the criteria outlined in this Job Description. If applicants with a disability shortlisted for interview require any assistance in attending please contact the College’s Human Resources Manager in order that alternative arrangements are made.

For further details on application forms, the recruitment process or to read our GDPR Candidate Privacy Notice, please visit: https://www.kmc.ac.uk/college/quick-links/work-for-us/

Following receipt of completed application forms, if you have not heard from the College within 2 weeks of the closing date regrettably you will not have been short listed on this occasion. All short-listed applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date or no later than 3 days prior to the interview date (where an interview date is specified).