Head Gardener: Lead Historic Gardens & Biodiversity

The Crown Estate; Old Windsor; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

Pension schemes

Private medical

Private healthcare

28 days holiday + option to buy more

Flexible working

Family policies

Shopping discounts

Job summary

The Crown Estate is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to lead the care, presentation and development of gardens and landscaped areas across Home Park, Windsor Estate. You will drive high horticultural standards, biodiversity initiatives and visitor-focused landscape management.

You will manage a team, plan work programmes, oversee equipment and contracts, and ensure safety, sustainability and exemplary visitor experience across a historic landscape.

Qualifications

• : A relevant horticultural qualification such as HND, ND/NVQ Level 3 or RHS Level 3 with proven experience or equivalent practical expertise.
• : Proven experience managing gardens, estates, parks or historic landscapes.
• : Strong horticultural knowledge, including plant science, garden design principles and grounds maintenance.
• : Experience planning and delivering operational work programmes.
• : Proven people management capability, including performance management and team development.
• : Experience managing contractors and monitoring delivery against safety, quality and performance standards.
• : Strong understanding of land-based health and safety practices, including risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• : A full manual driving licence.
• : Emergency First Aid at Work certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, maintenance and development of gardens, lawns, borders, hedges, glasshouses, woodland, orchards and landscaped areas.
• Ensure high standards of horticulture throughout the year with seasonal interest and sustainable practice.
• Lead, motivate and develop the team, set clear expectations, plan work programmes and foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Manage machinery, equipment and horticultural assets ensuring they are available, safe and well maintained.
• Plan and deliver annual and long-term work programmes, oversee planting schemes and improvement projects, manage contractors and suppliers, and collaborate with Estate colleagues.
• Ensure health and safety compliance, contribute to budget/resource planning, biodiversity initiatives, events and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

People management

Operational planning

Landscape maintenance

Biodiversity & sustainability

Communication & teamwork

Education

HND / ND / NVQ Level 3 or RHS Level 3 horticulture qualification

Full manual driving licence

Emergency First Aid at Work certification

Tools

Full manual driving licence

Job description

The Crown Estate is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to lead the care, presentation and development of gardens and landscaped areas across Home Park, Windsor Estate. You will drive high horticultural standards, biodiversity initiatives and visitor-focused landscape management.

You will manage a team, plan work programmes, oversee equipment and contracts, and ensure safety, sustainability and exemplary visitor experience across a historic landscape.