At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance a stunning 150-acre estate while working hands-on with your team.
- Company: Independent Prep School in Tonbridge, Kent, focused on creating impactful learning environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, free meals during term time, and access to school facilities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with variety and visible impact in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of grounds and gardens, making a real difference in children's learning experiences.
- Qualifications: Solid grounds experience, sports pitch management, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is a unique Head of Grounds & Gardens role, responsible for a 150-acre estate set around a stunning historic building. The site brings together sports pitches, parkland, gardens and woodland into one of the most distinctive prep school environments you'll come across.
It's not just about maintaining it. It's about shaping a place that plays a real part in how children learn, develop and enjoy their time at school, because here, the environment genuinely matters.
This is a working Head role. You'll lead the team, plan the work and raise standards, but you'll still be out there, hands-on. Not a desk job, and not a step away from the tools.
The foundations are strong. There is an experienced Estates lead, a capable team and a well-kept site. What's missing is someone to take ownership day-to-day and move things forward.
The role has real variety. You might be checking pitch conditions ahead of fixtures in the morning, on machinery mid-day, and planning improvements across the estate in the afternoon. Across the week, you'll oversee pitch preparation, introduce smarter ways of working, and bring more structure and direction to the team.
You won't be blocked from improving things. You'll be expected to. Most people who step into this kind of role are already doing it, just without the title or backing. They're stuck as a No.2, bored of repetitive sites, or frustrated by environments where nothing changes. This gives you ownership, variety and visible impact.
You'll lead a small, established team who know the site but need direction, not micromanagement. This is a live school environment, so you'll work around the rhythm of the day and be involved in daily car parking operations.
In return, you get a stable, well-run environment, a long-standing team, and a setting you can genuinely take pride in, with benefits including pension, free meals during term time, and access to school facilities.
You'll need solid grounds experience, sports pitches, machinery and turf care, and the ability to lead from the front in a practical, no-nonsense way.
Interested? Let's have a chat. You don't need a perfectly polished CV to start the process, just get in touch in confidence.
Click apply, or reach out directly to Tom Morrison at Sielo Search on LinkedIn.
Locations
Head of Grounds & Gardens in Devon, Exeter employer: Sielo Search
As the Head of Grounds & Gardens at our Independent Prep School in Tonbridge, Kent, you will thrive in a supportive and dynamic work culture that values your expertise and leadership. With a focus on employee growth and development, we offer a unique opportunity to shape a beautiful 150-acre estate while enjoying great benefits such as pension contributions, free meals during term time, and access to school facilities. Join us in creating an inspiring environment for children to learn and grow, where your hands-on approach will make a real difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Grounds & Gardens in Devon, Exeter
✨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 Sielo Search.
✨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 Sielo Search.
✨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 Sielo Search; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Grounds & Gardens in Devon, Exeter
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 Sielo Search.
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 Head of Grounds & Gardens.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Sielo Search 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 Sielo Search a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sielo Search
✨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 Sielo Search might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
