Fixed Term (18 months) – Full Time – 37 hours per week based at The Wilderness, Croydon

Summary:
Are you looking for a role that is acres away from your typical 9-5?

We are seeking a master of horticultural brilliance – a head gardener to reclaim, create and interpret the land with their imaginative and artistic talents to develop a magical outdoor community experience; for the public, volunteers, families and foremost for our residents.

What it’s like to work here – The Wilderness:

From 1894 Rev William Wilks, famed Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and creator of the renowned Shirley Poppy, developed a 7-acre plot, formerly part of Shirley Common into an informal wilderness garden. There he introduced many native wild flowers as well as horticultural varieties into an extensive heathland garden. In spring, varieties of miniature daffodils and snakeshead fritillaries abounded. The garden had a large number of locally rare wild flowers and became a showpiece with plants from all over the world. This showpiece, a once famed wilderness garden, became forgotten and now needs the care it deserves.

MHA is embracing this opportunity to inspire our volunteers, encourage families to explore and to nurture the spirit of our residents. The majority of clearance works are now complete and contractors will deliver the hard landscaping and buildings construction works in the first quarter of 2020. The grand opening is planned for Easter weekend 2020.

Through a total investment of over GBP 1.35m, which includes over GBP 600k funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, MHA intend to revitalise this space, evolving the garden into an accessible community asset which is then maintained for many years to come.

What you’ll be doing:

As Head Gardener through planning, preparation and promotion, you will lead a team of volunteers in the development of The Wilderness Garden’s horticultural, wildlife and conservation educational facilities.

Using your exceptional organisational and communication skills you will be collaborating with the Activities Co-ordinator and the Volunteer Co-ordinator to deliver the events and community participation programme for the restoration project.

The Head Gardener will be required to lead the recruitment and manage the education, training of and provide daily support and direction to a team of volunteers, in line with the core values of MHA. This will assist you in working together to ensure the on-going upkeep and evolution of a welcoming and vibrant space using your horticultural expertise.

In addition as Head Gardener you will need to develop, engage and maintain various networks and partnerships with local stakeholders and potential supporters to promote a culture of openness and involvement for all.

Job reference:REQ009564

Application closing date: 26/01/2020

Location: Croydon

Salary: £37,060 per annum

Package: Pension, 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays), Life Assurance, Discount Scheme, free uniform and DBS provided.

Job description: December 2019 – Head Gardener 18-month FTC.DOCX

To apply please follow this link https://ce0136li.webitrent.com/ce0136li_web/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID%3d9476964xHE&WVID=767623001H&LANG=USA

The development phase of this project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and as such we are required to share the CV of the successful candidate with them.