At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the care and development of Great Yarmouth's parks and green spaces.
- Company: Great Yarmouth Borough Council, committed to community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on innovation and ecological change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local landscapes and engage with the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture or landscape management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Great Yarmouth’s parks, gardens and public spaces play a vital role in the wellbeing of our residents and visitors. We are looking for an experienced horticulture or landscape professional to lead the care, improvement and development of these valued green spaces. This role oversees the planning and delivery of planting schemes, seasonal displays and landscape maintenance across our parks, seafront, gardens and public realm. You will ensure our green spaces are attractive, safe, well‑managed and environmentally resilient.
A key part of the role is coordinating planting for the Winter Gardens, seafront and major parks, including supporting the development of a growing facility to supply plants efficiently. You will work closely with contractors, community groups and volunteers, ensuring high standards and encouraging involvement.
We are looking for someone with strong horticultural knowledge, practical experience of managing green spaces, and confidence leading operational work at scale.
What you will lead:
- A Borough-wide landscape, horticulture and ecology strategy, bringing coherence and ambition to parks, open spaces, habitats, and visitor destinations.
- The flagship Winter Gardens horticultural programme, including working alongside the planting designers, glasshouse operations, and creation of an efficient growing facility to supply the site and generate income through surplus stock.
- Major planting and biodiverse landscape improvements across the seafront and key parks including Gorleston Cliffs and St George’s Park.
- Commercial, visitor‑facing and community projects that improve the visitor experience, celebrate civic pride, and deliver award‑winning “In Bloom” campaigns.
- Volunteer development and community involvement, ensuring residents, friends groups and valued organisations such as the Civic Society and Preservation Trust are active partners.
- Contract and client leadership, acting as the Council’s lead for the parks maintenance contract and ensuring delivery against KPIs and quality standards.
- Funding bids and partnership development, securing external investment and working with national and local organisations that share our environmental and heritage ambitions.
- Biodiversity leadership, driving nature recovery and environmental value across all council‑managed landscapes.
About You
What you’ll bring:
- Deep experience in horticulture, landscape management or ecological leadership, ideally within heritage, conservation, tourism or complex green-space settings.
- Creative design thinking — able to craft beautiful, resilient planting schemes that reflect local character and climate challenges.
- Senior leadership capability, including budget oversight, commercial awareness and contract management.
- Confidence working with Members, partners, community groups and volunteers.
- A strong grasp of biodiversity and nature recovery approaches, and a passion for delivering sustainable stewardship.
- The ability to develop and deliver clear strategies, operational plans and funding bids.
- Relevant qualifications in horticulture, applied ecology, conservation or a related field.
Ready to shape the future of Great Yarmouth’s landscapes? If you’re motivated by creativity, community impact and the chance to lead ambitious ecological and horticultural change, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us create vibrant, sustainable and inspiring places for everyone who lives, works and visits Great Yarmouth. We offer a range of exciting benefits as an employer and are committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and the services we provide.
Horticulture and Landscape Manager employer: Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the transformation of the town's green spaces while enjoying a supportive hybrid working culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. With a strong commitment to community involvement and environmental stewardship, employees can expect to engage in meaningful projects that enhance local biodiversity and civic pride, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development within a dedicated leadership team. Join us in shaping vibrant, sustainable landscapes that benefit residents and visitors alike.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Horticulture and Landscape Manager
✨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 Great Yarmouth.
✨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 Great Yarmouth.
✨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 Great Yarmouth; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Horticulture and Landscape Manager
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 Great Yarmouth.
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 Horticulture and Landscape Manager.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Great Yarmouth 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 Great Yarmouth a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Great Yarmouth
✨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 Great Yarmouth might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
