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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a stunning new garden and manage a passionate team of gardeners.
- Company: Prestigious organisation in Central London with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on leadership role, and community engagement opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a once-in-a-generation project that enhances biodiversity and engages the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing gardens and a passion for sustainable horticulture.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and making a real impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Central London
Our client is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to lead the horticultural management of their prestigious new garden. This is a hands-on leadership role, responsible for delivering high-quality horticultural maintenance and supporting the garden’s long-term vision. You will manage a team of Senior Gardeners, an Apprentice, and volunteers, ensuring the garden’s diverse planting schemes and natural features are maintained to the highest standards. You will also play a key role in community engagement, biodiversity enhancement, and supporting educational and volunteer programmes. The Head Gardener is also expected to act as an ambassador both for the company and for the garden. This is a once in a generation project which has already attracted strong media attention and coverage and they wish to capitalise on that in the future as the garden establishes itself and evolves.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day horticultural operations of the garden.
- Maintain key garden elements including wildflower mosaics, woodland shrubs, lawns, social ovals, natural play areas, and wetland features.
- Deliver horticultural maintenance aligned with the company’s sustainability and biodiversity goals.
- Provide training and guidance to apprentices, gardeners, and volunteers.
- Support the Landscape Manager in implementing landscape management plans.
- Manage horticultural tools, PPE, and sustainable resources.
- Assist in planning and delivering community and corporate volunteer days.
- Contribute to interpretation materials and educational content.
- Occasionally lead guided walks and provide horticultural advice to stakeholders.
Experience
- Proven experience managing public gardens or parks, ideally to Green Flag or London in Bloom standards.
- Strong background in biodiverse planting schemes and sustainable horticulture.
- Experience with aquatic planting and water feature maintenance.
- Demonstrated leadership of horticultural teams.
- Experience in public engagement and educational activities.
Knowledge
- Excellent plant and biodiversity knowledge.
- Strong understanding of Health & Safety legislation and garden safety protocols.
- Aware of climate change and biodiversity loss, and appropriate horticultural responses.
Qualifications
- Garden Diploma, ND, HND, BSc in Horticulture or RHS Level 3 (or equivalent).
- Minimum of three years’ experience leading horticultural teams.
- Full, valid UK driving licence.
Head Gardener employer: Fresh Horticultural Careers
Contact Detail:
Fresh Horticultural Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow gardeners, attend horticultural events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best gardening projects, including photos of your work and any community engagement initiatives you've led. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to gardens or organisations you admire and express your interest in working with them. A friendly email can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate gardeners like you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your passion for horticulture and how it aligns with our vision at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and experience mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to showcase your leadership skills. Include examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, especially in a gardening context.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fresh Horticultural Careers
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific species, their care requirements, and how they fit into biodiversity goals. This shows your passion and expertise in horticulture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in training apprentices and engaging volunteers, as this is crucial for the Head Gardener position.
✨Understand Community Engagement
Familiarise yourself with community engagement strategies and be prepared to discuss how you would implement them in the garden. Think about past experiences where you've successfully involved the public or educated them about horticulture.
✨Align with Sustainability Goals
Research the company's sustainability initiatives and be ready to talk about how your horticultural practices align with these goals. Discuss your experience with biodiverse planting schemes and sustainable resource management.
