Head Gardener

Tate Gallery; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned cultural institution in the UK is seeking a Gardener for the Clore Garden at Tate Britain. This role involves developing and maintaining a biodiverse garden, ensuring it meets the highest standards. The Gardener will work closely with landscape architects and engage with visitors about art, nature, and sustainability. The position is key to the success of the garden and involves collaboration with experts and teams within the organization. An exciting opportunity to enhance public green spaces in London awaits.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and maintaining gardens.
• Ability to work with landscape architects and horticulturists.
• Strong communication skills for engaging with visitors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the maintenance of the Clore Garden.
• Collaborate with Tom Stuart-Smith Studio on planting strategies.
• Engage visitors with ideas around art, nature, and sustainability.

Skills

Garden management

Biodiversity knowledge

Public engagement

Job description

The Clore Garden at Tate Britain will be a beautiful and biodiverse garden, situated across the front of the building facing the Thames, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, funded by the Clore Duffield Foundation, and delivered in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. The garden will offer Tate Britain's audiences and our local communities an inspiring new green space for London. It will complement Tate Britain's artistic programmes and our audience activities within the gallery, and it will feature several sculptures from Tate's collection.

The role will be responsible for developing and overseeing the maintenance and management of the Clore Garden, ensuring the planting is appropriately cared for and always presented to the highest standard. To support the long-term success and evolution of the garden, you will work with Tom Stuart-Smith Studio to shape and refine the ongoing planting and care strategy to ensure that the planting and garden design continue to flourish and develop in the years to come.

The Tate Britain Gardener will sit within the Tate Britain division, reporting to the Director of Tate Britain, and will also work closely with the Head of Estates, Visitor Experience and the Learning team. Appointment of this role will take place in advance of the Clore Garden opening to ensure that the postholder plays a central role to the planning and operations for this new space, working closely with Tom Stuart-Smith studio and the capital team on the final stages of the garden's delivery, including the showcase garden at Chelsea Flower Show in May 2026.

You will play a critical role as an advocate and ambassador for the Clore Garden, bringing the garden to life for our visitors and engaging audiences with ideas around art, nature, biodiversity and sustainability, and working closely with Tate's Visitor Experience, Learning and Events teams and our partners on the project: The Royal Horticultural Society.