At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and maintain stunning gardens while leading exciting redesign projects.
- Company: Prestigious country estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative freedom, and a chance to work on unique garden designs.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make your mark on a historic estate and nurture your passion for horticulture.
- Qualifications: Experience in gardening, creativity, and a full driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity has become available to join a stunning and prestigious traditional country family estate with an historic manor house, set in the heart of the Berkshire countryside near Newbury. We are looking for someone who is hands-on, creative, enthusiastic and confident to take overall responsibility for managing and maintaining the gardens and grounds to the highest standards. The successful candidate will be able to project manage, work independently and bring a proactive, self-motivated approach to everything they do. A willingness to assist a small team and the family when needed is important, and flexibility is key to this role. The main garden is currently being redesigned and new garden areas are soon to be developed across the estate — we want the new Head Gardener to be closely involved with these exciting projects from the outset. There are also several other properties on the estate with their own gardens that will require ongoing care and attention.
The Role
- Full care and maintenance of flowers, shrubs, trees, lawns, hedges, rose gardens and borders
- Planting, transplanting, fertilising, pruning, spraying, weeding, watering and managing pests and diseases
- Implementing and maintaining detailed landscape and seasonal planting plans
- Maintenance of garden structures, equipment and supplies, including the safe use of all machinery
- General groundskeeping: mowing, mulching, strimming, raking and upkeep of paths and driveways
- Greenhouse management including propagation of flowers, fruit and vegetables
- Care and management of the fruit orchard
- Swimming pool and tennis court maintenance
- Caring for the estate chickens and occasionally family pets
- Supporting ad hoc estate project work as required
- Liaising closely with the Estate Manager and the principals to deliver the owner’s vision for the garden
What We Are Looking For
- Solid, demonstrable experience in a similar Head Gardener or senior gardening role
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Proactive and self-motivated, with the confidence to manage your own workload
- A creative eye and genuine passion for horticulture and garden design
- PA1/PA6 spraying certificates are desirable
- Good knowledge of trees and woodland management is a bonus
- A flexible and proactive attitude, willing to assist the team and the family when required
- A full, clean driving licence is essential
Further information and applications:
- Start Date: As and when the right person is found
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
- Flexibility: Some weekend availability may be required
- Driving: A full driving licence is essential
- Location: Near Newbury, Berkshire
This is a wonderful opportunity for a passionate and skilled gardener to make their mark on a truly special estate. To apply or for further information, please contact us via the link below.
Head Gardener in Newbury employer: Professional Gardeners Guild
Contact Detail:
Professional Gardeners Guild Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Gardener in Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the estate before your interview! Take a stroll around the gardens and grounds, and think about how you can contribute to their beauty. This will show your genuine interest and help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to chat about your past gardening experiences. Think of specific projects you've managed or creative ideas you've implemented. We want to hear how you’ve made a difference in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your flexibility! Talk about times when you’ve adapted to changing circumstances or taken on extra responsibilities. This role is all about teamwork and being proactive, so let that shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! Inquire about the upcoming garden redesign and how you can be involved. This shows your enthusiasm and commitment to the estate's vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Gardener in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for horticulture shine through! Share specific examples of your gardening experience and any creative projects you've worked on. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we're looking for in a Head Gardener. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at Professional Gardeners Guild
✨Know Your Plants
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, their care, and how you would approach maintaining the estate's gardens. Showing that you have a solid understanding of plant management will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share your ideas for the garden redesign and any previous projects you've worked on. Bring along a portfolio or photos of your past work to demonstrate your creative eye and passion for garden design. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can contribute to the estate's vision.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Gardener, you'll need to manage a team and projects. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams, managing workloads, and how you handle challenges. Highlight any instances where you've successfully managed a project from start to finish.
✨Be Flexible and Proactive
The role requires a flexible attitude and a willingness to assist the family and team when needed. Prepare examples of how you've adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles and how you approach teamwork. This will show that you're not just a skilled gardener but also a great team player.