Live-in Groundsman & Gardener

Katherine Shields Private Staff Ltd; Surrey Heath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A private staffing agency seeks a Live-in Groundsman/Head Gardener for a full-time, long-term position on a 40-acre estate in Surrey. Responsibilities include maintaining gardens, caring for animals, operating machinery, and supervising staff. Accommodation is provided in a 2-bedroom cottage with bills covered. The role requires flexibility, occasional driving, and readiness to assist at another residence. The position starts in March/April 2025.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Bills covered

Pets welcome

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in horticulture and garden management.
• Ability to care for various animals including dogs and alpacas.
• Skills in operating and maintaining estate machinery.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the estate's gardens and grounds.
• Care for numerous animals and assist with indoor handyman tasks.
• Oversee irrigation and drainage systems.

Skills

Horticultural skills

Animal care

Machinery operation

Landscaping

Supervision

Job description

A lovely client is seeking a discreet, hands‑on and highly experienced Live‑in Groundsman/Head Gardener for a full‑time, long‑term role on a 40‑acre private estate in Surrey.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day‑to‑day care, presentation and long‑term management of the estate, maintaining lawns, parkland, woodland, paddocks, driveway and formal landscaped areas to an exceptional standard, carrying out all seasonal horticultural tasks and assisting with planting schemes, borders and the kitchen garden.

Duties also include the care and welfare of animals (dogs, cats, chickens, alpacas and sheep), daily dog walking, operation and maintenance of estate machinery, oversight of irrigation, drainage, fencing and infrastructure, maintenance of hard landscaping, fountains and outdoor furniture, supervision of other grounds staff and contractors and management of tennis court and swimming pool maintenance.

Additional responsibilities include estate security when the principals are away, occasional driving and school runs, indoor handyman tasks, assistance with vehicle servicing and willingness to travel occasionally to the family’s London residence to address any issues.

General Schedule

• Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
• Very occasional weekends may be required with time off in lieu

Accommodation

• 2 bed cottage provided as staff accommodation (bills covered)
• Pets welcome but not suitable for dependents

Interviewing now to start March/April 2025.