Grosvenor Square Head Gardener

Grosvenor; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed urban garden project in the City of Westminster is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to lead the horticultural management of Grosvenor Square Garden. This role includes overseeing a team and ensuring high standards of maintenance for diverse planting schemes while fostering community engagement and biodiversity. The ideal candidate will have strong planting knowledge, demonstrated leadership, and relevant qualifications, with a commitment to sustainability and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing public gardens or parks, ideally to Green Flag or London in Bloom standards.
• Strong background in biodiverse planting schemes and sustainable horticulture.
• Demonstrated leadership of horticultural teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day horticultural operations of Grosvenor Square Garden.
• Maintain key garden elements including wildflower mosaics and natural play areas.
• Deliver horticultural maintenance aligned with sustainability goals.

Skills

Effective team leadership and performance management

Strong communication skills

Computer literacy, including MS Office

Ability to manage administrative tasks

Skilled in delivering on‑the‑job training

Education

Garden Diploma, ND, HND, BSc in Horticulture or RHS Level 3

Job description

About Grosvenor Square

Grosvenor Square Garden (GSG) is an extraordinary urban garden with ground‑breaking environmental credentials designed and governed collaboratively with its neighbours and other London communities. The garden lies in the heart of our Mayfair Estate and in 2027 it celebrates its 300‑year anniversary. Together we show how green spaces in cities can work harder for nature and the wellbeing of those who rely on them. By focusing design on nature and human experience, GSG will become a natural haven within the West End and a green oasis at the heart of a welcoming and vibrant Mayfair. Designed by Professor Nigel Dunnett, there will be a wider range of native and non‑native plants and an ever‑changing mosaic of wildflowers, ferns and woodland shrubs that will create special moments throughout the year. The flowering season will be extended through carefully curated plant communities, with bluebells and blossom trees bursting with colour in Spring and rich Autumn colours from lateflowering shrubs and fruiting trees. In addition to trees that flower and bloom, the planting choices have been carefully considered to create a variety of sensory experiences in the Square. A variety of spaces including a large Open Garden with wild‑flowering lawn and social ovals allow for different activities, including a natural play space that really makes this a place for everyone. There are two play areas identified within the garden, which will include a collection of naturalistic play equipment. Social ovals and paths within the planting will also provide routes for children or adults to discover and have fun. The garden has been designed as one large SuD such that any water collected within the garden can drain away naturally. Indeed we have run calculations and conducted tests to prove that even in a 1‑in‑100 flood event plus Climate Change, the garden can drain away naturally, helping to protect the Square from large volumes of standing water and flash flooding.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to lead the horticultural management of Grosvenor Square Garden. This is a hands‑on leadership role, responsible for delivering high‑quality horticultural maintenance and supporting the garden’s long‑term vision. You will manage a team of Senior Gardeners, an Apprentice, and volunteers, ensuring the garden’s diverse planting schemes and natural features are maintained to the highest standards. You will also play a key role in community engagement, biodiversity enhancement, and supporting educational and volunteer programmes. The Head Gardener is also expected to act as an ambassador both for Grosvenor and for GSG. This is a once‑in‑a‑generation project which has already attracted strong media attention and coverage and we wish to capitalise on that in the future as the garden establishes itself and evolves.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day horticultural operations of Grosvenor Square Garden.
• Maintain key garden elements including wildflower mosaics, woodland shrubs, lawns, social ovals, natural play areas, and wetland features.
• Deliver horticultural maintenance aligned with Grosvenor’s sustainability and biodiversity goals.
• Provide training and guidance to apprentices, gardeners, and volunteers.
• Support the Landscape Manager in implementing landscape management plans.
• Manage horticultural tools, PPE, and sustainable resources.
• Assist in planning and delivering community and corporate volunteer days.
• Contribute to interpretation materials and educational content.
• Occasionally lead guided walks and provide horticultural advice to stakeholders.

Experience

• Proven experience managing public gardens or parks, ideally to Green Flag or London in Bloom standards.
• Strong background in biodiverse planting schemes and sustainable horticulture.
• Experience with aquatic planting and water feature maintenance.
• Demonstrated leadership of horticultural teams.
• Experience in public engagement and educational activities.

Knowledge

• Excellent plant and biodiversity knowledge.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety legislation and garden safety protocols.
• Awareness of climate change and biodiversity loss, and appropriate horticultural responses.

Qualifications

• Garden Diploma, ND, HND, BSc in Horticulture or RHS Level 3 (or equivalent).
• Minimum of three years’ experience leading horticultural teams.
• Full, valid UK driving licence.

Skills

• Effective team leadership and performance management.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Computer literacy, including MS Office.
• Ability to manage administrative tasks and delegate effectively.
• Skilled in delivering on‑the‑job training and mentoring.

Grosvenor is proud to be a Disability Confident committed employer. If you would like to speak with us for more detail.