Head Gardener - Penzance

National Trust; Penzance; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Penzance is seeking a Head Gardener to oversee two significant gardens. This role involves managing budgets, leading teams, and enhancing visitor engagement. The ideal candidate will have practical horticultural knowledge, team leadership experience, and a qualification such as RHS level 3. The position offers substantial benefits, including a generous pension scheme and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Experience managing a varied garden in all seasons.
• Comfortable speaking with diverse groups about horticulture.
• Skilled in compliance and operational risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term garden direction and conservation principles.
• Manage compliance and planning for high horticultural standards.
• Inspire and engage visitors through effective team leadership.

Skills

Practical horticultural knowledge

Team management

Budget management

Public engagement

Knowledge of plants

Education

RHS level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Reporting to the General Manager, you'll be a key part of the Property Leadership Team holding accountability for day‑to‑day maintenance and long‑term planning for the gardens. You'll set and deliver your own operating and conservation budgets and be responsible for the safety and compliance within the garden. As Head Gardener for the West Cornwall group, you will lead two gardens, where you will provide support and develop the teams. You'll have a flexible and innovative approach and will enjoy trialling new techniques and planting ideas. You'll manage day‑to‑day work schedules, support and mentor staff and volunteers, contribute to visitor engagement through events and tours, and ensure the budgets are used effectively. Tree and woodland management form a part of this role, as well as maintaining community links with our local partners and historic family. You'll work closely with the visitor experience team to champion our work and engage visitors with the beauty, nature and history of our gardens. You'll support an inclusive culture, where everyone feels a positive sense of belonging and pride for the part they play. You'll work with property teams to make changes that improve access to the garden. You'll have a close working relationship with experts from our internal consultancy and will connect yourself internally and externally to ensure you are always learning from others, identifying partnership opportunities where relevant, and sharing your knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Leads the delivery of long‑term garden direction and conservation principles within a smaller‑scale property context.
• Manages resources, compliance and planning to deliver high standards of horticulture and visitor experience.
• Applies practical horticultural knowledge to maintain and enhance the garden's significance and sustainability.
• Leads a small team of staff and volunteers to deliver garden objectives and foster an inclusive working culture.
• Builds relationships and shares horticultural knowledge to enhance public understanding.
• Manages budgets, plans and resources to ensure efficient garden operations and delivery.
• Leads our garden teams in caring for two distinct Cornish gardens; experienced in managing a varied garden in all seasons, inspiring and engaging visitors.
• Able to draw on 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.
• Qualified to RHS level 3 or above (or the equivalent vocational experience).

Garden Details

Trengwainton is home to an important plant collection that has continued to develop from its early twentieth‑century beginnings and the historic family's passion for plants. The garden continues to flourish with the National Trust to this day. The extensive woodland garden also contains a walled garden that shelters some unusual and more tender plants and has areas of productive horticulture.

Godolphin is truly an ancient garden, with the remains of a layout that could date from as early as the 14th century. Despite its atmosphere of deep time, it is gardened sensitively in a sustainable way via organic methods. An orchard, newly planted woodland and ancient bluebell woodland complement the landscape.

National Trust 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 what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised worldwide. Its achievements enable the general public and the Trust's members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections. The Trust has a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement.

Benefits

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% of 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.
• 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 whenever possible.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Free parking at most Trust places.