Garden Supervisor

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Dorking; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts (gym, shopping, cinema)

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working where possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Job summary

Polesden Lacey is seeking an enthusiastic Garden Supervisor to lead horticultural operations and a team of staff, volunteers and apprentices. The role combines practical gardening with planning, project work and staff development at one of the National Trust’s flagship gardens.

You’ll plan seasonal work, support compliance and health and safety, and help shape the garden’s future while mentoring colleagues and volunteers in a collaborative, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Practical horticultural experience with a recognised qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading, supporting or developing staff and/or volunteers.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, compliance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of horticultural operations.
• Plan and coordinate seasonal work programmes with the Garden & Outdoors Manager.
• Supervise and develop gardeners, apprentices and volunteers; manage workloads and resources.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

People leadership

Project planning

Health and safety

Staff development

Plant identification

Team collaboration

Education

Level 3/4 horticultural qualification

Job description

We're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced horticulturist to join our friendly team at Polesden Lacey as Garden Supervisor. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the care, maintenance and development of one of the National Trust's most significant gardens. Combining hands-on horticulture with leadership, planning and project work, you'll help shape the future of the garden while supporting and developing a talented team of staff, volunteers and apprentices. If you're passionate about people, plants and delivering high standards, we'd love to hear from you.

What it's like to work here

At Polesden Lacey, you'll be part of a welcoming, supportive and highly committed team that takes pride in caring for a special place loved by visitors, members and the local community. Our garden is incredibly varied, ranging from formal ornamental displays and productive growing areas to wider landscapes and seasonal projects, meaning no two days are ever quite the same.

We believe great gardens are created by great teams. You'll join colleagues who are passionate about horticulture, willing to share knowledge and always ready to support one another. We celebrate successes together, tackle challenges collaboratively and encourage everyone to contribute ideas that help us continue improving and developing the garden. Whether you're leading a project, mentoring a volunteer or working alongside the team on a busy summer day, you'll find a friendly environment where people genuinely enjoy working together.

What you'll be doing

As Garden Supervisor, you'll play a key role in leading the day-to-day delivery of horticultural operations across the garden. Working closely with the Garden & Outdoors Manager, you'll help plan and coordinate seasonal work programmes, ensuring the garden is maintained and developed to the highest possible standards.

You'll supervise, support and motivate gardeners, apprentices and volunteers, helping them develop their confidence, skills and knowledge. Alongside practical horticultural work, you'll take responsibility for organising workloads, managing resources, supporting compliance and health and safety, and helping deliver projects that enhance the garden for both visitors and nature.

We're particularly interested in candidates who can bring expertise in the operation and maintenance of horticultural machinery, helping strengthen capability and resilience within our team. This is a role where you'll have genuine influence and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the National Trust's flagship gardens.

You can view the full role profile in the attached document. You don't need to meet every requirement listed; the profile is intended to provide a complete picture of the role and its potential scope.

Who we're looking for

• Practical horticultural experience, supported by a Level 3/4 horticultural qualification or equivalent experience
• Strong plant knowledge and an understanding of garden management and conservation
• Experience of leading, supporting or developing staff and/or volunteers
• Strong understanding of health and safety, compliance and risk management
• Experience of delivering training, coaching or sharing horticultural knowledge
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience of planning projects, managing resources and working collaboratively with others
• Experience operating, maintaining and managing a range of horticultural machinery and equipment.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

National Trust place

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Dorking, RH5 6BD

Documents

Garden Supervisor - C.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 22nd November 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.