At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and cultivate a unique garden, shaping its future with your horticultural expertise.
- Company: Les Jardins de Médongaule, a visionary garden near Seoul, South Korea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health insurance, accommodation, and annual flights home.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to live and work in beautiful South Korea.
- Why this job: Join a world-class garden project that restores the human spirit through nature.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in horticulture, strong design skills, and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Job Opportunity at Les Jardins de Médongaule
Location: Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (approx. 1.5 hours from Seoul)
Please note: This is an on-site position based at Les Jardins de Médongaule in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Relocation to South Korea is required.
About the Garden
Les Jardins de Médongaule is a humanities-driven garden of uncommon ambition, built on a strong financial foundation and guided by a long-term vision. The garden draws its philosophical spirit from Friedrich Nietzsche, exploring history, culture, and ideas through living landscape, with the aspiration of becoming a world-class destination that restores the human spirit through nature.
The Role
We are seeking a highly experienced and dedicated Head Gardener to help shape this garden through its formative years. The ideal candidate brings deep horticultural expertise, a strong design sensibility, and proven leadership — alongside a genuine passion for cultivating a garden of lasting significance.
What We're Looking For:
- Advanced expertise in horticulture
- Strong garden design and seasonal display skills
- Knowledge of organic gardening practices
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience
- Proficiency in English communication
- Ability to lead, train, and inspire a gardening team
- Valid international driving licence
Contract Terms
- Duration: 3 years
- Salary: €50,000–€70,000 per year, inclusive of severance pay as required under Korean labour law.
- Hours: 40 hours per week, 5 days, with some seasonal flexibility
- Annual leave: 20 days per year (bank holidays not included)
- Unpaid leave: Up to 30 days per year of unpaid leave may be available during less busy seasons, subject to agreement with the employer.
Please note: National Pension and Health Insurance contributions, as well as applicable taxes, will be deducted in accordance with Korean regulations.
Benefits
- Health insurance, including dependants coverage
- On-site dormitory accommodation to suit the successful candidate, including dependants where applicable
- Company vehicle (fuel not included)
- One economy-class return flight per year, for the employee and dependants, to home country
- Meals provided during working hours
Please note: there is currently no local international school offering English-language education for children.
Visa
This position is subject to the successful issuance of a Korean E-7 (Specially Designated Activities) visa. Applicants must be able to provide apostilled documentation of relevant professional experience as part of the visa application process.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, portfolio, and a brief professional bio to recruit@mdale.co.kr by 15 May 2026. All documents must be in English. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed twice by video call.
Head Gardener employer: Mdale
Contact Detail:
Mdale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the garden! Before your interview, do some research on Les Jardins de Médongaule. Familiarise yourself with their philosophy and design elements. This will help you connect your experience to their vision and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best gardening projects. Include photos of your designs, seasonal displays, and any innovative practices you've implemented. This visual evidence can really make you stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! Since they’re looking for someone to lead a team, think about examples from your past where you’ve inspired or trained others. Be ready to share these stories in a way that highlights your leadership style and effectiveness.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! While sending your application via email is essential, also consider checking if there are any additional resources or tips on our site that could help you prepare better for the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your passion for horticulture and how your experience aligns with the vision of Les Jardins de Médongaule. We want to see your personality come through, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Experience: When it comes to your CV, highlight your 10+ years of professional experience in horticulture. Be specific about your achievements and any leadership roles you've held. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous positions!
Include a Portfolio: A portfolio is a must! Include photos of your past garden designs and seasonal displays. This is your chance to visually demonstrate your skills and creativity. We want to see what you can bring to our garden!
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to send all required documents to the specified email address by the deadline. We appreciate attention to detail, so double-check that everything is in English and formatted correctly. Applying through our website is also a great way to stay updated!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mdale
✨Know Your Horticulture Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, gardening techniques, and organic practices that you've successfully implemented in the past. This will show your deep expertise and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Design Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your garden design projects. Include photos and descriptions of seasonal displays you've created. This visual evidence will help demonstrate your strong design sensibility and ability to create lasting beauty in a garden setting.
✨Leadership is Key
Think about examples from your past where you've led a team or trained others. Be ready to share how you inspire and motivate your gardening team, as this role requires strong leadership skills. Highlight any successful projects that resulted from your guidance.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Research Les Jardins de Médongaule and its philosophy inspired by Nietzsche. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with their vision of restoring the human spirit through nature. Showing that you understand and resonate with their mission can set you apart from other candidates.