At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to maintain stunning outdoor spaces and ensure high-quality grounds maintenance.
- Company: Join a vibrant university community dedicated to creating inspiring environments.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive pay, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across the university.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the university's outdoor spaces while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture and team leadership, with strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Garden Team Leader to lead a skilled team in maintaining high-quality outdoor spaces across the University. This is a hands-on supervisory role where you’ll combine practical horticultural expertise with team leadership—helping create safe, attractive and inspiring environments that support teaching, learning and research.
What will you be doing?
- Lead, organise and motivate a team to deliver high-quality seasonal grounds maintenance
- Plan and prioritise workloads to ensure work is completed safely and on time
- Carry out and oversee horticultural tasks including planting, pruning, weeding and landscaping
- Maintain gardens, hard surfaces and open spaces to professional standards
- Deliver team briefings and support staff development, training and performance management
- Take responsibility for health & safety compliance, including COSHH and risk assessments
- Operate and oversee the safe use of machinery, tools and vehicles
- Respond to changing conditions (e.g. weather or operational priorities)
- Liaise with colleagues across the University to maintain high service standards
- Deputise for the Grounds Coordinator when required
You’ll lead from the front—setting standards, supporting your team and ensuring continuous improvement across all activities.
You should apply if we’re looking for someone who:
- Has strong experience in horticulture, gardens or grounds maintenance
- Has proven experience supervising or leading a team
- Demonstrates strong organisational and problem-solving skills
- Has a good understanding of health and safety practices
- Communicates effectively and works collaboratively
- Holds a full UK driving licence
- Supervisory or leadership qualification
- IOSH or similar health & safety certification
- Experience working within a large or complex organisation
- Familiarity with Microsoft applications and smartphone use
Additional information
- Work pattern: Full time (35 hours)
- Grade: E
- This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on: Thursday 16th July
- Interviews are expected to take place on w/c 20th July
We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Team Leader in Bristol
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like City of Bristol College.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like City of Bristol College.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at City of Bristol College; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Garden Team Leader in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at City of Bristol College.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Garden Team Leader.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what City of Bristol College is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at City of Bristol College a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of Bristol College
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at City of Bristol College might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
