Mobile Head Gardener

Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading organization dedicated to honoring servicemembers by becoming a Mobile Head Gardener. You will lead a team in the care of cemeteries while promoting sustainable practices. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and annual leave, are offered. If you are passionate about horticulture and leadership, we want to hear from you!

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus public holidays

Access to work van and high-end tools

Generous Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle To Work & Electric Vehicle schemes

Qualifications

• Experience supervising a team and conducting training.
• Knowledge of health and safety policies and risk assessments.
• Full UK manual driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead care and development of cemeteries and plots.
• Inspire and manage a team of gardeners.
• Oversee contractors' work ensuring alignment with standards.

Skills

Horticulture

Team Leadership

Sustainability Practices

Communication

Education

BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Amenity Horticulture

Tools

Computer Literacy

Job description

Mobile Head Gardener (req379) Gillingham, England

Salary: GBP29000 - GBP30172 per annum

Mobile Head Gardener

Location: MOBILE, covering Kent and South London Areas
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £29,000 - £30,172 per annum, depending upon skills and experience
Hours: Full Time, Average of 37 hours per week, Mon – Fri

What you’ll be doing
As Head Gardener, you’ll lead the care and development of our cemeteries and plots, ensuring they are maintained to the highest horticultural standards. You’ll plan tasks with a focus on sustainability, choosing plants that thrive naturally and promoting eco-friendly practices. From planting and pruning to larger projects, your expertise will keep the grounds beautiful and thriving throughout the seasons.
In this role, you’ll also lead and inspire a team of gardeners. This includes setting clear goals, providing hands-on training, and giving constructive feedback to help them grow their skills. Your ability to communicate and share your passion for plants will be essential in building a motivated and knowledgeable team. You’ll work closely with contractors as well, overseeing their work to ensure it aligns with our standards.

If you’re passionate about horticulture, sustainability, and leading a team, we’d love to hear from you!

What you need to have

• A BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Amenity Horticulture (or equivalent)
• Experience in supervising a team, setting performance goals, conducting appraisals, and training
• Knowledge of health and safety policies, including risk assessments, COSHH, and safe working practices
• A good level of computer literacy
• A full UK manual driving licence

Who we are
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an organisation dedicated to honouring and caring for the graves and memorials of servicemembers who died in the two World Wars. The work of the commission is not only out on the field, but also in our head office, which all contributes to the meaningful commemoration of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave, rising by 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 30 + public holidays off + paid time off a week prior to Christmas all the way to New Year
• Access to a work van, PPE, uniform, and high-end tools
• Generous Pension Scheme, with us contributing up to 10%
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle To Work & Electric Vehicle schemes

How to apply
Apply via our Career Portal by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.

As this is an active role, we will be interviewing as we go along, and the role will close when we have an offer accepted by a preferred candidate.

We believe creating a diverse environment enriches our organisation and strengthens our mission, therefore, we welcome applications from everybody. Join our inclusive environment where every individual is valued.