Head Gardener

ECG Limited; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

An exceptional opportunity for an experienced Head Gardener to manage and develop the gardens of a stunning country estate near Haywards Heath. This role involves leading a team, overseeing operations, and contributing to a garden legacy project. Onsite accommodation is provided.

Benefits

Onsite accommodation rent free

Bills covered by the estate

Families encouraged

Pets welcome

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a diverse private estate.
• Demonstrable experience in garden development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of four to maintain and develop gardens.
• Oversee daily operations and manage external contractors.

Skills

Horticultural qualification

Garden development

Management experience

Safe working practices

Garden machinery

Job description

An exceptional opportunity has become available for an experienced Head Gardener to play a leading role managing and developing the gardens of a charming country estate in the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty near Haywards Heath.

Set within a secluded 300-acre private estate, this remarkable property offers a stunning tapestry of natural beauty, blending mature woodland, farmland, paddocks, and parkland. At its heart lie 20 acres of meticulously maintained gardens that wrap elegantly around the main residence. These gardens include two well-established ornamental walled gardens, characterised by box and sage hedging, blossoming cherry trees, a pleached beech hedge, herbaceous borders, and a rose walkway to be transformed by the Head Gardener into a more productive market garden.

The grounds also feature four glasshouses, including an impressive Victorian glasshouse currently under restoration. A wide terrace runs along the southern and western elevations of the house, providing sweeping views across manicured lawns, including a croquet lawn. Beyond, the terrain gently cascades down towards a series of ornamental ponds and lakes, bordered by a traditional ha-ha that subtly delineates the formal gardens from the wider estate. The lawns are interspersed with trees, sculptural water features, and artistic installations, all contributing to the estate’s serene and timeless atmosphere.

The successful candidate will lead a team of four and work in a hands-on capacity to maintain and develop the gardens to an exceptional standard. In addition to overseeing daily operations, the Head Gardener will be involved in recruiting team members, fostering a positive and productive working environment, and managing external contractors, such as tree surgeons, when required.

This position would suit a proactive, and hands-on Head Gardener with a creative flare and an eye for design and detail. A horticultural qualification and / or experience working in a similar setting on a diverse private estate as well as management experience is required. Demonstrable experience in garden development, safe working practices, and garden machinery are essential.

The Head Gardener will be joining the Estate at an exciting time, as they will have the opportunity to play a key role in the development and implementation of a garden legacy project.

A competitive salary is provided with onsite accommodation rent free and bills covered by the estate. Families are encouraged and the size of the property would be dependent on the candidate’s circumstances. Pets are welcome too.

SALARY: Circa £40,000

LOCATION: Near Haywards Health, West Sussex

JOB No: EC67800

If this vacancy is of interest, please click ‘Apply for job’ below’ or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or email [e-mail]

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: full time, head gardener