Senior Gardener - Penzance

National Trust; Penzance; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major conservation charity is seeking a Senior Gardener to lead gardening teams at a significant Cornish garden, ensuring daily operations and volunteer support. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in horticulture, team leadership skills, and a deep knowledge of plant care. This position offers an inclusive work culture and benefits including a substantial pension scheme and holiday allowances up to 32 days.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working whenever possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in a horticultural role.
• Knowledgeable about relevant health and safety legislation.
• Experience with chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers, and mowers.

Responsibilities

• Lead garden teams in daily operations.
• Organise maintenance schedules with the Head Gardener.
• Train and support volunteers.
• Advocate positive teamwork and care for the plant collection.

Skills

Practical horticulture and plant care

Team supervision and volunteer support

Machinery use and safety compliance

Project and programme delivery

Resource and budget awareness

Visitor and stakeholder engagement

Knowledge about plants

Confident in using and maintaining garden machinery

Job description

We are looking for someone to bring their passion, knowledge and expertise to help lead our garden teams in caring for this beautiful yet distinctive Cornish garden at Trengwainton. We want to welcome all our visitors and for them to enjoy the experience of visiting such a significant place and provide opportunities to join us in caring for our places. Trengwainton is home to an important plant collection, which has continued to develop from its early twentieth‑century beginnings and the historic families’ 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. Reporting to the Head Gardener, you’ll hold accountability for day‑to‑day operations of the gardens. You’ll help lead our volunteers and be responsible for the safety and compliance within the garden.

As Senior Gardener for Trengwainton, you’ll be in a key position, organising routine maintenance schedules agreed with the Head Gardener and ensuring our volunteers are trained and supported. You’ll have the chance to initiate new techniques and approaches, and be an advocate of positive teamwork, making the garden a fantastic place to work and thrive. You’ll also care for the plant collection, ensuring its development and resilience. You’ll be required to support across the wider garden team to ensure the care of our places in West Cornwall. Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Practical horticulture and plant care
• Team supervision and volunteer support
• Machinery use and safety compliance
• Project and programme delivery
• Resource and budget awareness
• Visitor and stakeholder engagement
• Someone who combines practical experience in horticulture with appropriate qualifications
• Used to supervising others in a similar role
• Highly knowledgeable about plants
• Confident in using and maintaining garden machinery, including chainsaws, tractors, hedge‑trimmers and mowers (both walking and ride‑on)
• Aware of relevant health and safety legislation and practices

Company Background

The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those 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 throughout the world. Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust’s members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement. The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

Package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% 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