Head Gardener

A wonderful opportunity has arisen for a highly skilled Head Gardener to play a crucial role overseeing the maintenance and development of the gardens for a large prestigious country estate in the Cotswolds, near Cheltenham. Working with an exceptional team, this role would suit a knowledgeable, professional, hardworking individual who will bring a positive pro-active attitude.

This is a unique opportunity to work within an organically certified estate consisting of parkland, 5-acre ornamental gardens surrounding the grade II listed property, woodlands and two lakes. Horticultural features in the garden include various beds, borders, lawns, water features, fruit trees, glasshouse for growing fruit and vegetables and a swimming pool. The Head Gardener will oversee the development and expansion of the new areas such as the creation of a cutting garden and a seasonal kitchen garden.

The Head Gardener will lead a small team of 5 gardeners to ensure efficient and professional execution of physical labour tasks such as bed management, hedge cutting, pruning, woodland maintenance, lawn mowing and traditional garden tasks as well as manage and coordinate external contractors working within the gardens to maintain high aesthetic standards. Line management responsibilities include staff scheduling and shift coordination, upholding all health & safety regulations and ensuring compliance among team members. The Head Gardener will support and identify individual talents amongst the team and actively promote continuous learning for self and the team to maximise potential. The successful candidate will work closely with the family and garden designer to understand their vision and turn it into a reality with careful project planning and execution, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget and managing an annual budget for the garden upkeep, recording all expenses.

Key responsibilities include managing in depth plant by plant bed work, including weeding, planting and creation of new areas in the garden, pruning, feeding, mulching, deadheading and training climbers as well as soil preparation, pest control, and greenhouse/nursery plant care. The Head Gardener will manage the watering and irrigation schedules for the garden and greenhouse and maintain a healthy aquatic ecosystem for the pond, water feature and lake. General garden upkeep duties include lawn maintenance, hedge cutting and pruning, ongoing tree care and maintenance using, maintaining and properly storing a variety of machinery and tools, as well maintenance of garden paths, water features and garden structures.

The Head Gardener will hold the relevant horticultural qualifications ideally qualified to RHS level 3 or equivalent and/or extensive professional experience in large private estate as a Head Gardener or a similar role. Sound plant knowledge and excellent plant husbandry skills are important. A full clean driving licence is required with the ability to competently drive 4×4 vehicles, towing trailers and machinery. Attention to detail, IT skills, excellent communication skills, and ability to work under pressure are all required for the role. Due to the nature of the role, you will need to be physically fit, have a passion for horticulture and a proactive, positive ‘can do’ approach.

The role is full-time (40 hours per week) Monday – Friday. Occasional weekends may be required to prepare the gardens for key family events for which time off in lieu will be given. DBS and references will be required.

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please click ‘Apply for job’ below, or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or email info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.