At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to maintain and develop stunning gardens on a beautiful estate.
- Company: A prestigious private family estate in Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Live rent-free in a three-bedroom cottage with utilities covered.
- Why this job: Join a unique opportunity to showcase your gardening skills in a breathtaking setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Gardener with strong leadership and practical skills.
- Other info: Full-time, permanent position with occasional events and functions.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 56000 £ per year.
A rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced Head Gardener to lead the gardens of a stunning 500‑acre private family estate in Oxfordshire. The role focuses on managing an exceptional one‑acre walled garden, five acres of formal gardens, and two working glasshouses, ensuring the estate is presented to the highest standard at all times.
Responsibilities
- Lead a small team of two gardeners, overseeing all aspects of garden maintenance and development.
- Plan and manage workloads, supervise staff, and maintain safe use of garden machinery and equipment.
- Execute planting, pruning, hedge cutting, mowing, glasshouse management and general upkeep across the estate.
- Implement innovative planting schemes, improved growing techniques and sustainable practices.
- Ensure all workspaces are clean, safe and well organised.
Qualifications
- Proven background as a Head Gardener on high‑end private estates.
- Strong leadership, organisational and practical hands‑on skills.
- Experience with tractors and garden machinery; PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates advantageous.
- Artistic flair for house flowers, floral arrangements and decorative displays desirable.
- Willingness to work at height; benefits from kitchen gardening, fruit and flower production experience.
Benefits
- Three‑bedroom cottage on the estate, rent‑free.
- Council tax and water covered; other utilities paid by the Head Gardener.
- Full‑time, permanent, live‑in position (Mon‑Fri, 8:00‑17:00 with one hour lunch).
- Occasional out‑of‑hours work for events and private functions.
Salary
£40,000 + Accommodation
Location
Nr Greenfields, Oxfordshire
Application
To apply, email Jay Rimell at info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk or call 01233 733510.
Head Gardener in Blewbury employer: ECG Limited
Contact Detail:
ECG Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener in Blewbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the estate before your interview! Take a stroll around the gardens if you can, and think about how you’d manage them. This shows you’re genuinely interested and gives you a chance to impress with your ideas.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When chatting with the hiring team, share examples of how you've successfully managed a team in the past. We want to see that you can inspire and guide others in maintaining those stunning gardens.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss innovative gardening techniques! They’re looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas to the table. Think about sustainable practices you’ve implemented before and how they could benefit the estate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! It’s a great way to show your enthusiasm and helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you. Plus, it makes the conversation more engaging!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener in Blewbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your skills and enthusiasm for maintaining beautiful gardens. We want to see how you can bring your artistic flair to our stunning estate.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head Gardener role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in managing teams and working with high-end estates. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We love a well-organised application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to double-check your details before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at ECG Limited
✨Know Your Gardens
Familiarise yourself with the specific gardens you'll be managing. Research the types of plants and techniques that thrive in Oxfordshire's climate. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in previous roles. Discuss how you managed workloads, resolved conflicts, and motivated your team to achieve high standards in garden maintenance.
✨Demonstrate Practical Knowledge
Be ready to talk about your hands-on experience with garden machinery and maintenance tasks. Highlight any relevant certifications, like PA1 and PA6, and share specific instances where you've implemented innovative or sustainable practices.
✨Bring Your Artistic Flair
Since artistic flair is desirable for this role, prepare to discuss your experience with floral arrangements and decorative displays. Consider bringing a portfolio of your work to visually demonstrate your skills and creativity.