Head Gardener
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener on our 2500 acre private estate that includes 250 acres of sprawling parkland and gardens.
We are looking for a full time Head Gardener to join our team to maintain the curtilage of the main house, formal gardens and areas of the wider estate. Strong horticultural knowledge is a must, and we will be looking for candidates with practical experience in a similar role, as well as a horticultural background and qualifications to match.
The Head Gardener will be working with a small, but dedicated team helping to raise standards through the formal gardens and wider estate. The house and grounds provide a perfect backdrop for events and filming, so the gardens have to look their best at all times.
This role comes with a delightful three bedroom lodge house on the estate with its own garden. Working within this small and friendly team, you must be a team player at heart, with a positive ‘can-do’ attitude. A hands on approach is key as this will be a physical role for someone comfortable working in all weathers.
Reporting to the Estate Manager, we expect all our gardeners to have strong communication skills, strong written English, be well presented, polite, hardworking, and ultimately maintain the gardens to high level. A full and valid drivers licence is required for this role.
Key responsibilities for this role include:
1. Take ownership of designing, planning and implementing routine maintenance and any projects across the estate with the aim to maintain, restore and enhance the gardens, parkland, woodland and grounds.
2. Under the supervision of the Estate Manager, oversee and manage the day to day running of the gardens/parkland/woodland/estate grounds/business park communal areas with support from the gardening team.
3. Oversee and manage garden and grounds staff members including managing or signing off holiday and address any issues with absence and sickness, seeking input from the Estate Manager if required.
4. Brief garden and grounds team members weekly on planned works and allocate jobs accordingly. Ensure the work is completed in a timely manner and maintain flexibility for any reactive or urgent works.
5. Ensure gardening and grounds team comply with all current Health and Safety regulations and identify and manage any risks associated with working practices, including ensuring team are wearing appropriate clothing, footwear and PPE.
6. Ensure all relevant certificates (for chainsaw operation, spraying etc) are up to date for members of gardening and grounds staff and organise training where necessary to ensure team members are able to fulfil their roles.
7. Schedule routine maintenance and planting and any planned projects across the estate and prepare a detailed yearly planner to be approved by the Estate Manager.
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here
For more gardener roles please click here
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