Head Gardener

Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Lamphelpat; On-site; INR 481,000 - 576,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual/Privilege leave

Provident Fund

Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Imphal (India) seeks a Head Gardener to lead and supervise a team delivering high-quality horticultural maintenance across cemeteries and memorials. You will manage staffing, plan activities, ensure safety and standards, and support budget and procurement processes.

The role requires a recognised qualification, practical horticultural expertise, and strong English plus local language communication. A commitment to development and safety is essential.

Qualifications

• Recognised technical qualification.
• Experience supervising a horticultural team or equivalent.
• At least two years in a supervisory horticultural role or leadership responsibilities.
• Strong practical horticultural knowledge for maintaining landscaped grounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of gardeners to complete work safely, efficiently and to Commission standards.
• Oversee maintenance activities including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, weeding and grounds upkeep.
• Plan, supervise and coordinate horticultural activities across sites and report concerns.

Skills

Team leadership

Horticulture knowledge

English language

MS Office

Education

Technical qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Imphal, India
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: INR 47,730 total gross pay per month, depending upon skills and experience
Hours: Full Time, 44 hours per week

About this Role and You

As a global organisation, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) operates in over 150 countries and territories and honours and cares for the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. Funded by six Member Governments, our work began with building, and now maintaining, cemeteries at 23,000 locations around the world.

Today, over a century later, our staff, supporters and volunteers continue this important mission by preserving our unique cultural, horticultural and architectural heritage and ensuring the stories of those who served are remembered.
We are excited to be recruiting a Head Gardener to join our team at Imphal War Cemetery.
In this role, you will support the Cemetery Manager in coordinating and delivering high-quality horticultural maintenance across designated cemeteries and memorial sites. You will supervise and support gardening staff, ensuring that all grounds, memorials and horticultural assets are maintained to the high standards expected by the Commission.

Everyone who works for us, or with us, shares our values, which are formed around our concept of CARE (Commitment, Ambition, Respect and Excellence). We are proud and committed to bringing these values to life every day for ourselves, each other, and those we commemorate.

Key Responsibilities

As Head Gardener, you will:

• Lead and support a team of gardeners, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to Commission standards.
• Carry out and oversee horticultural maintenance activities, including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, weeding and general grounds upkeep.
• Assist with the planning, organisation and supervision of horticultural and caretaking activities across assigned sites.
  Monitor cemetery conditions and report any structural defects, environmental changes, vandalism or maintenance concerns.
• Maintain horticultural machinery, irrigation systems, equipment and vehicles in safe working condition.
• Support health and safety compliance, accident reporting and the promotion of safe working practices.
• Conduct regular site inspections to ensure maintenance standards are consistently achieved.
• Assist with staff attendance management, annual appraisals, development planning and on-the-job training.
• Support budget management activities, including expenditure claims, utility payments and authorised procurement.
• Represent the Commission at ceremonies, meetings and when engaging with visitors and local stakeholders.

You Will Be Able to Demonstrate

• A recognised technical qualification.
• Relevant experience in a supervisory or management position within a horticultural environment, or extensive horticultural experience with supervisory responsibilities.
• At least 2 years' experience managing a team in a horticultural environment, or significant horticultural experience combined with team leadership responsibilities.
• Strong practical horticultural knowledge and experience maintaining landscaped grounds and gardens.
• Effective people management, communication and organisational skills.
• Written and spoken English language skills, together with a good command of the local language.
• Ability Prioritize tasks, make sound decisions and work effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook and Excel.
• A commitment to continuous professional development, health and safety, and excellent service delivery.

What We Offer:

• 16 Annual/Privilege leave days and 12 Casual leave days
• Contributory Provident Fund
• Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance