Head Gardener

National Trust; Morpeth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization is seeking a Head Gardener to manage and develop gardens at a historic site in Northumberland. This role involves leading a team of gardeners and ensuring high standards of garden maintenance while engaging with a diverse range of visitors. Ideal candidates will have RHS level 3 or equivalent experience and a strong background in horticulture. This position offers excellent benefits, including a substantial pension scheme and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts on gym memberships

Up to 32 days holiday

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Experience managing a complex historic garden.
• Ability to manage a varied garden across all seasons.
• Excellent knowledge of plants and plant care.

Responsibilities

• Lead the maintenance, presentation, and development of Cragside's gardens.
• Manage a team of gardeners and volunteers.
• Create a Garden Management Plan alongside the Property Curator.

Skills

Horticultural knowledge

People management

Risk management

Budget management

Communication

Education

RHS level 3 or equivalent vocational experience

Job description

Overview

Important notice: In line with our redeployment policy, we\'ll prioritise applications from National Trust employees who are under formal notice of redundancy. Join us in managing a Grade I listed fantasy landscape located in the spectacular North East countryside. Created by William and Margaret Armstrong, this historic pleasure ground is almost 17 hectares. It\'s unique Formal Garden, Rock Garden, Pinetum and Valley Garden awed their guests and still wow our visitors today. As our Head Gardener, with your infectious can-do attitude, you will bring these magical gardens to life. In this strategic, hands-on horticultural role, you will enjoy working alongside your team, leading them in the maintenance, presentation and development of Cragside\'s gardens. Whatever the season, your leadership will ensure a memorable, and colourful, experience for all our visitors.

Responsibilities

• The working pattern is Tuesday to Saturday and you will be part of the duty manager rota for daily operations on the property.
• As Head Gardener, you\'ll be leading a Senior Gardener and a team of five gardeners, all eager to deliver their very best. They are ably supported by a small number of volunteers.
• You\'ll employ your horticultural knowledge, experience, and talent to implement high standards of garden maintenance and lead on the development of new aspects of the gardens.
• Alongside leading by example out in the gardens, you will have strong administrative skills, be confident managing budgets and ensuring that the gardens are fully compliant with healthy and safety guidelines.
• You\'ll be an excellent people manager; proactively developing work programmes and your team\'s skills.
• Among our exciting priorities for the coming years is working alongside the Property Curator to create a detailed Garden Management Plan that will shape our vision for the current maintenance and future development of the gardens.
• We\'ll be working to reimagine Victorian practices, such as carpet bedding, to make them more sustainable whilst still celebrating Cragside\'s heritage. We are also working on projects to re-plant the historic Ferneries and conserve the 19th century Orchard House.

Qualifications

• qualified to RHS level 3 or above (or the equivalent vocational experience)
• able to evidence experience of managing a complex historic garden
• experienced in managing a varied garden in all seasons
• able to draw on your excellent knowledge of plants and plant care
• comfortable talking to all kinds of people and sharing your knowledge and expertise
• used to managing operational risk and compliance requirements relevant to horticulture
• committed to working as part of a wider team to build a culture of inclusion
• adept at managing resources, budgets and plans to make sure work gets done on time and to the highest standards

Context and Benefits

Cragside is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North East, welcoming around 250,000 visitors each year. Located in stunning rural Northumberland, but only 30 miles from the vibrant city of Newcastle, working at Cragside allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. With less congested travel than many parts of the UK and beautiful surroundings, the quality of life in Northumberland is high.

The high performing team you will be joining is experienced in a broad range of disciplines. Everyone works closely together to look after Cragside for our visitors - both present and future - to enjoy. You will thrive when working in collaboration. Managed by our Property Curator, you will work closely with other heads of department, to provide a holistic and exceptional visitor experience across the property. Regional and central colleagues will be able to offer a range of advice and services for you to draw upon.

Our Commitment

The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever. The Trust is proud of its 126-year history and is dedicated to conservation, stewardship and curatorial care. It is our duty to tell history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, without judgement. The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

The Package

The National Trust has the motto \"For everyone, for ever\" at its heart. We\'re working hard to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we\'re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria
• Flexible working wherever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places