Head Gardener

ECG Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A private estate in the United Kingdom is looking for a passionate Head Gardener to lead a skilled team in revitalizing their 30-acre gardens. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in formal garden settings and hold RHS Level 2 qualifications. The role offers a competitive salary of up to £40,000, a 5-day working week, and the possibility of a couples role if the partner can assist. A full clean UK driving licence and fluency in English are essential for the position.

Benefits

20 days paid holiday + statutory holidays

Seasonal flexibility in working hours

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a senior position within formal gardens.
• Proven management experience in recruiting and developing teams.
• Full clean UK driving licence and DBS certificate.

Responsibilities

• Lead a skilled team to develop and revitalize gardens.
• Guide owners on regenerating garden spaces.
• Manage budgeted projects related to garden development.

Skills

Horticulture passion

Team management

Horticultural machinery operation

Project management

Health and safety compliance

Education

RHS Level 2 or higher

Job description

Head Gardener – Vacancy – Live in or Live Out – (Accommodation near Estate)

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Head Gardener for an historic grade 2* listed well-resourced private Estate of 30 acres. The owners are seeking a professional and dedicated lead to take the gardens to their next stage of development.

The Estate is sympathetic to its Jacobean and Georgian history and reflects the contemporary tastes and artistic interests of the appreciative and engaged owners. The gardens have been designed to surprise and delight and lead the observer via desired lines to reach sculptural, architectural, and natural viewpoints. The Head Gardener is required to take the lead and develop a skilled team to revitalise the impressive series of garden rooms, parterres, woodlands, and parkland.

Garden features include:

• Formal parterres with hedges and topiary centrepieces surrounded by close-cut formal lawns.
• Rose beds, borders, and rose arch walkway.
• Formal topiary garden ‘room’ surrounding an historic dovecote.
• Walled ‘Show Garden’ surrounding the orangery with an intimate sculpture installation and contemporary water feature.
• Kitchen garden
• Impressive Alitex designed glasshouse with central tropical display area, propagation wing and potting shed.
• Yew-hedged, galleried herbaceous borders.
• Large planters for seasonal and mature plantings.
• Contemporary knot topiary parterres.
• Parkland and lake complemented by mature trees.
• Large machinery garage & workshop with specialist equipment.
• Enclosed courtyard garden
• Orchard with heritage fruit trees surrounded by a bulb-rich meadow.

The successful applicant will:

• Have a passion for horticulture, be self-motivated, hands‑on and able to propose and guide the owners in regenerating and developing the gardens
• Ideally hold horticultural qualifications minimum of RHS Level 2
• Have 5 or more years working at a senior level within a formal garden setting
• Be experienced in the operation and maintenance of a wide range of horticultural machinery
• Have proven management experience and be capable of recruiting, developing and motivating a skilled team
• Be responsible for compliance with health and safety practices of the garden team
• Be required to propose, present and manage budgeted projects.
• Be computer literate

The Estate staff work as a harmonious team within a family environment.

The position is a 5-day working week with seasonal flexibility, 20 days paid holiday + statutory holidays.

Full clean UK driving licence, DBS certificate and fluent spoken and written English.

The owners would consider a couples role and ideally would like the Head Gardener’s partner who can offer full time assistance in the house and/or garden.

Salary: Up to £40,000 DOE