Gardens Manager (Oakham)

Uppingham School; Oakham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is looking for an experienced Gardens Manager to oversee and lead the maintenance of high-profile gardens across the estate. The successful candidate will develop landscaping schedules, ensure compliance with safety regulations, and manage the garden team's performance. This role requires demonstrable experience in similar departments, horticultural qualifications, and strong interpersonal skills. The position offers a competitive salary and a range of employee benefits.

Benefits

Pension scheme with matching contributions

Free healthcare membership

Free staff lunches

Discounts at various retailers and services

Employee Assistance Programme

Free annual flu jabs

Complimentary staff tickets to school events

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of running a department within an estate.
• Qualifications and experience in horticulture and arboriculture.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills for budget management.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term landscaping and maintenance schedules.
• Lead the Gardens team to ensure development and well-being.
• Ensure safety compliance in garden maintenance.

Skills

Running a similar department

Horticulture and arboriculture qualifications

Interpersonal and communication skills

Financial competence

Handling of chemicals and machinery

Knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act

Interest in conservation management

Full UK driving licence

Job description

45k per annum, dependant on experience, We are recruiting an experienced and inspiring Gardens Manager to join the wider Estates team and lead the Gardens teams work across the Schools high‑profile gardens. These are a mixture of private gardens and landscapes located across the estate as well as several smaller residential gardens, feature gardens and an arboretum.

Job Purpose

Uppingham Schools high‑profile gardens form a vital part of the estate for pupils, parents, staff and visitors to enjoy. Within the estate there is a mixture of private gardens, landscapes, woodland as well as a number of smaller residential and feature gardens that require a high level of direction to ensure that they achieve their full potential.

Accountabilities

• Develop and implement long‑term landscaping, planting, and maintenance schedule, including statutory compliance and proposals for the development of the gardens using the Estates CAFM System.
• Lead and inspire the Gardens team; we want all staff to feel valued and to have the opportunity to develop.
• Allocate tasks using the CAFM System to monitor performance, identify development opportunities and ensure compliance with all employment policies and procedures.
• Assess resources, review overall workload and put together detailed seasonal work schedules to ensure the care and maintenance of all Uppingham School gardens and woodlands, ensuring that the many trees and hedges within the estate are kept in a safe and healthy condition.
• Ensure all footpaths, tracks and fences are appropriately monitored and maintained.
• Manage the Gardens Departments environmental impact, including energy and chemicals.
• Identify and coordinate external contractors for any specialist elements, including competitive tendering processes and specifying work, ensuring compliance with health and safety or other statutory requirements.
• Take responsibility for the day‑to‑day health and safety needs of the department and compliance with relevant legislation.
• Prepare departmental risk assessments, COSHH documents and machinery maintenance records.
• Liaise with HR and Health and Safety Manager to ensure full compliance with all statutory health checks (including audiometry, HAVs).
• Submit planning applications for tree works and liaise with statutory bodies (e.g. Environment Agency, Planning Authorities) in connection with parts of the estate that fall within the Conservation Area of Uppingham.
• Attend and contribute when necessary to meetings for departmental, estates and school matters.
• Procure materials, plant and equipment effectively and manage departmental expenditure and capital budgets within allocated budgets at all times.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience of running a similar department within an estate of a comparable size and diversity is essential.
• Qualifications and significant experience in horticulture and arboriculture to support the function of the department and the needs of the School environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including consultation and liaison with a wide variety of people (academic staff, finance, HR, local authority officers and members of the public).
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills; financial competence to monitor and control the significant budget for the department.
• Competent in the handling of chemicals or fuels and the safe operation of various types of machinery and plant.
• Knowledge and practical application of the Health and Safety at Work Act and subordinate legislation.
• Interest in conservation management with knowledge of statutory compliance in this respect.
• Full UK driving licence.

Benefits

• Pension scheme – Defined contribution scheme: employee contribution matched by School up to 10% maximum 50% contribution to premiums for Schools.
• 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.
• You may also have experience in the following: Habitat creation, Landscaper, Gardener, Landscaping, Gardening, Grounds Person, Horticulture, Trainee, Landscaper, Maintenance Gardener, Groundworker, etc.

REF‑225 668TPBN1_UKTJ