Garden Supervisor

The Carnegie Club At Skibo Castle; Dornoch; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share of gratuities

33 days annual leave pro-rata

Auto enrolment pension scheme

Company Vehicle

Occupational sick pay

Family friendly support

Life assurance cover

Wellbeing platforms providing support

Cycle to work scheme

Free meals on shift

Complimentary staff gym access

Team events

Job summary

The Carnegie Club At Skibo Castle is seeking a Gardens Supervisor to support the Head Gardener in the day-to-day running of the gardens. You will lead hands-on, guide the team and ensure high horticultural standards are maintained across Walled Garden, Croft, glasshouses and ornamental borders.

Join a small, dedicated team and shape the seasonal programme, plan workloads, share knowledge and promote safety.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a previous Supervisor role, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Experience allocating daily tasks and organising workloads to ensure priorities are met.
• Sound knowledge of plants, including trees, shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants, bulbs and edible crops.
• Good knowledge of horticultural machinery and equipment, including their safe and effective use and routine maintenance.
• Demonstrable experience of supervising and supporting a team, with the ability to motivate others and lead by example.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to work closely with the Head Gardener and wider Gardens team.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively across changing seasonal requirements.
• Experience of supporting staff development, including providing guidance, feedback and contributing to performance reviews.
• An understanding of health and safety within a horticultural environment, including the ability to contribute to risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office and completing basic administration and records.
• A dependable, committed and flexible approach, with a genuine willingness to learn, develop and undertake relevant training.
• A full driving licence and the flexibility to work weekends when required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Gardener in day-to-day running and lead the Gardens team.
• Plan, prioritise and coordinate daily and weekly work.
• Lead, support and develop the Gardens team with high standards.
• Be a visible hands-on presence and share horticultural knowledge.
• Ensure gardens are maintained to the highest standards using proper techniques.
• Oversee maintenance of the Walled Garden, Croft, glasshouses, borders and lodges.
• Plan seasonal horticultural work and allocate resources.
• Maintain health, safety and environmental practices and develop new procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve team practices and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Leadership

Team motivation

Horticultural knowledge

Planning & organisation

Health and safety awareness

Time management

Microsoft Office

Tools

Horticultural machinery

Job description

Description

At Skibo, our Gardens are at the heart of the estate, creating beautiful, productive and memorable spaces for members and guests to enjoy. As Gardens Supervisor, you'll play a hands-on role in caring for these spaces while supporting and guiding the gardens team to maintain the highest horticultural standards.

From productive growing to maintaining the Walled Garden, Croft, glasshouses, ornamental areas and guest lodges, you'll combine practical horticultural expertise with strong organisation and team leadership. You'll help plan daily and weekly work, develop and support team members, and ensure work is carried out safely, efficiently and to the standards expected at Skibo.

Working as part of a small, dedicated team, you'll take pride in nurturing plants, improving our gardens and sharing your knowledge and experience. Through your practical approach, attention to detail and commitment to Skibo's values, you'll help create exceptional surroundings that are enjoyed by members, guests and the wider estate team.

About The Role

As Gardens Supervisor, you will support the Head Gardener in the day-to-day running of the gardens, providing hands-on leadership and guidance to the team while ensuring our gardens and grounds are maintained to the highest horticultural standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Support the Head Gardener in the day-to-day running of the Gardens team, helping to plan, prioritise and coordinate daily and weekly work.
• Lead, support and develop the Gardens team, setting clear expectations and high standards while creating a positive, collaborative and motivated working environment.
• Be a visible, hands-on presence within the gardens, leading by example and sharing your horticultural knowledge and experience with the team.
• Ensure the gardens and grounds are maintained to the highest standards, using appropriate techniques and management practices.
• Oversee the practical maintenance of the Walled Garden, Croft, glasshouses, ornamental areas, herbaceous borders and guest lodges.
• Help plan and schedule seasonal horticultural work, ensuring resources are used effectively and priorities are clearly communicated.
• Support the Head Gardener in maintaining high standards of health, safety and environmental practice across the Gardens department as well as supporting with new systems and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve the way the Gardens team works, encouraging good practice, sharing knowledge and continually developing the gardens.

About You

We are looking for someone who has strong horticultural and supervisory experience, excellent leadership skills and a genuine passion for gardens.

You will have:

• Proven experience in a previous Supervisor role, with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Experience allocating daily tasks and organising workloads to ensure priorities are met efficiently and to a consistently high standard.
• Sound and demonstrable knowledge of plants, including trees, shrubs, roses, herbaceous plants, bulbs and edible crops.
• Good knowledge of horticultural machinery and equipment, including their safe and effective use and routine maintenance.
• Demonstrable experience of supervising and supporting a team, with the ability to motivate others and lead by example.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the confidence to work closely with the Head Gardener and wider Gardens team.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively across changing seasonal requirements.
• Experience of supporting staff development, including providing guidance, feedback and contributing to performance reviews.
• An understanding of health and safety within a horticultural environment, including the ability to contribute to risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office and completing basic administration and records.
• A dependable, committed and flexible approach, with a genuine willingness to learn, develop and undertake relevant training.
• A full driving licence and the flexibility to work weekends when required.

Benefits

• Share of gratuities
• 33 days annual leave pro-rataAuto enrolment pension scheme
• Company Vehicle
• Occupational sick pay
• Family friendly support
• Life assurance cover
• Access to wellbeing platforms providing support on nutrition, exercise, health, finances, legal support and more
• Cycle to work and tech scheme
• Free meals on shift
• Complimentary use of staff gym
• Team events

Great teams are built on diversity, curiosity, and respect. If you're excited by our mission and think you could make an impact, we'd love to hear from you - even if you don't tick every box.

At Skibo Castle, you'll become part of a passionate and close-knit team dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences in one of Scotland’s most extraordinary settings. Whether front-facing or behind the scenes, every role contributes to the unique magic that members and guests feel the moment they arrive. Working here means being surrounded by natural beauty, rich heritage, and a community that values professionalism, warmth, and genuine hospitality. If you're looking for a place where your work has meaning, your colleagues feel like family, and every day brings opportunities to grow, we'd love to welcome you to the team.