Gardens Manager

CJA; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in England is seeking a Gardens Manager to lead its high-profile gardens team at Uppingham School. The role involves overseeing the management of private and feature gardens, ensuring they thrive while working with a dedicated team. Candidates must have significant experience in horticulture and arboriculture, strong management skills, and financial competence. Excellent communication skills are vital for liaising with diverse stakeholders. This position offers competitive benefits like health support and discounts.

Benefits

50% contribution to private health scheme

Free Westfield Healthcare

Discount at local coffee shop for staff

Free staff lunches in term-time

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience leading a horticulture department within a comparable estate.
• Ability to oversee budgets and manage financial aspects of the department.
• Familiarity with safe handling of chemicals and machinery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Gardens team in managing gardens and landscapes.
• Develop and oversee annual work schedules and planting strategies.
• Consult and liaise with various stakeholders regarding garden maintenance.

Skills

Horticulture expertise

Management experience

Interpersonal skills

Financial competence

Health and Safety knowledge

Interest in conservation management

Education

Qualifications in horticulture and arboriculture

Tools

Machinery operation

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced horticulture and arboriculture specialist to play a key role leading the Gardens team, working across Uppingham School’s high‑profile gardens

Uppingham School’s gardens form a vital part of the estate for pupils, parents, staff and visitors to enjoy. These include a mixture of private gardens and landscapes across the estate as well as several smaller residential gardens, feature gardens and an arboretum.

Reporting to the Head of Estates Services, the Gardens Manager will lead and support a dedicated Gardens team, utilising their extensive horticultural and management experience to produce and oversee annual work schedules and propose seasonal and long‑term planting and maintenance strategies to ensure the gardens achieve their full potential.

The successful candidate will need experience of running a similar department within an estate of a comparable size and will be required to have qualifications and significant experience in horticulture and arboriculture. The postholder should have excellent interpersonal and communications skills.

They will need to consult and liaise with a wide variety of people and will also need to monitor and control the significant budget for the department, so will need to be financially competent. Knowledge and practical application of the Health and Safety at Work Act and its subordinate legislation is required.

In particular, the postholder will need to be competent in the handling of chemicals or fuels and the safe operation of various types of machinery.

An interest in conservation management is equally important.

What we offer:

• 50% contribution to premiums for the School’s private health scheme
• Free Westfield Healthcare
• Free membership of dual‑use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee)
• Free staff lunches in term‑time
• School fee discount for children of Uppingham staff
• Retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health Services
• Free annual flu jabs
• Recognised as a “Disability Confident” employer
• Recognised as a “Mindful” employer
• Favourable rates and terms with local nursery
• Complimentary staff ticket to selected School performances
• Discount at local coffee shop for Uppingham staff.

For further details and to apply please click the apply button. The closing date for applications is 13 January 2026

Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo full screening in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE), including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils will be explored at interview.