Head Gardener - Private Estate

GR8 Recruitment; Saint Helier; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Two-bedroom cottage accommodation

Job summary

Zohorecruit is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to manage and develop a prestigious 10-acre private estate in Saint Helier, Jersey. The role focuses on maintaining exemplary gardens year-round and leading a small team of two gardeners, with strong discretion and high standards.

The successful candidate will oversee planting, maintenance, and landscape projects, collaborating closely with the family and house staff on design, colours, and aesthetics.

Qualifications

• RHS qualifications or recognised horticultural training.
• Experience with heritage, formal, or show-standard gardens.
• Knowledge of sustainable and organic gardening methods.
• Experience operating ride-on mowers and estate equipment.
• Previous employment within UHNW private households or estates.
• PA1/PA6 spraying certificates advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute horticultural operations for the estate, maintaining top standards across seasons.
• Supervise and develop a small garden team of two, with strong people-management.
• Collaborate with the family and house staff on plant/flower selections and discre­tion.
• Maintain and improve garden layouts, planting schemes, and aesthetics throughout the year.
• Oversee irrigation, soil health, pest control, and sustainable gardening practices.
• Ensure privacy, discretion, and impeccable presentation across outdoor spaces.

Skills

People management

Communication

Time management

Discretion

Education

RHS qualifications or recognised horticultural training

Tools

Ride-on mowers

Estate equipment

Job description

St Helier, Jersey | Posted on 23/06/2026

Anoutstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly accomplishedhorticultural professional to assume responsibility for the management,development, and maintenance of an exceptional 10 acre private family estate.

Thishands-on position is ideally suited to a knowledgeable, discreet, and dedicatedHead Gardener with a proven track record of maintaining prestigious privateestates, luxury residential landscapes, or significant private gardens to thehighest standards.

Thesuccessful candidate will possess extensive horticultural expertise,exceptional plant knowledge, and a meticulous attention to detail, combinedwith strong organisational and leadership capabilities.

A passionfor excellence, creativity in garden management, and a commitment to deliveringyear-round presentation standards are essential.

Keyresponsibilities will include the planning and execution of all horticulturaloperations, ensuring the estate grounds are maintained to an exemplary standardthroughout the seasons.

The rolewill also involve the supervision, leadership, and ongoing development of ateam of two gardeners, requiring strong people-management skills and theability to foster a professional, motivated, and high-performing workingenvironment.

You will beexpected to work closely with the house staff in terms ofwhat is requiredforflowers, plants and produce for the main house. You will also work withthe principle in all aspects of design, colours and aesthetics.

This is arare opportunity to work within a distinguished private estate wherediscretion, professionalism, and horticultural excellence are highly valued.

Accommodationis also included in the package which is a well-presented two-bedroom cottage.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Fullmaintenance and development of extensive private gardens and grounds.
  
• Seasonalplanting, pruning, propagation, and soil management.
  
• Careand maintenance of ornamental gardens, lawns, borders, hedging, trees,shrubs, kitchen gardens, greenhouses, and specialist planting schemes.
  
• Planningand implementing planting programmes to ensure year-round presentation andcolour.
  
• Managingirrigation systems, composting, fertilisation, and sustainable gardeningpractices.
  
• Monitoringplant health, identifying pests and diseases, and implementing appropriatetreatments.
  
• Operatingand maintaining horticultural machinery, tools, and garden equipment.
  
• Supervisingadditional gardening staff or external contractors when required.
  
• Maintaininghigh standards of presentation across all outdoor spaces.
  
• Assistingwith garden improvements, landscaping projects, and estate enhancementplans.
  
• Workingclosely with the family to understand preferences and maintain completediscretion and confidentiality.
  

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Extensiveprofessional horticultural experience within private estates, luxuryresidences, country houses, or high-end gardens.
  
• Excellentpractical gardening and estate management skills.
  
• Strongplant and horticultural knowledge across a wide range of species.
  
• Provenexperience in formal and informal garden maintenance.
  
• Abilityto independently manage large gardens to an exceptional standard.
  
• Aproactive, organised, and self-motivated approach.
  
• Strongattention to detail and pride in presentation.
  
• Highlevels of discretion, professionalism, and trustworthiness.
  
• Goodphysical fitness and willingness to work outdoors year-round.
  
• Excellentcommunication and time-management skills.
  
• Driving Licence
  

Qualifications & Experience

• RHSqualifications or recognised horticultural training.
  
• Experiencewith heritage, formal, or show-standard gardens.
  
• Knowledgeof sustainable and organic gardening methods.
  
• Experienceoperating ride-on mowers and estate equipment.
  
• Previousemployment within UHNW private households or estates.
  
• PA1/PA6spraying certificates advantageous.
  
• Privatefamily estate.
  
• Competitivesalary dependent on experience.
  
• Long-termopportunity for the right candidate.
  
• Supportiveand respectful working environment.
  
• A 2bedroom cottage is available if required