At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the gardening team, design beautiful spaces, and engage with customers online.
- Company: Crocus at Dorney is a stunning plant centre in historic Windsor, offering a unique gardening experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company pension, cycle to work scheme, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, inspire others, and showcase your gardening expertise at events and online.
- Qualifications: Must have RHS Level 3 or equivalent experience as a Head Gardener and strong people management skills.
- Other info: Part-time role, 24 hours per week, perfect for those passionate about horticulture and customer engagement.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 35000 £ per year.
Situated in the grounds of the historic Dorney Court in Windsor, the Crocus Plant Centre offers a curated assortment of plants, as well as items for the home and garden. Located in a walled garden, Crocus at Dorney is a horticultural haven with ivy-clad walls and terracotta brickwork surrounding beds of herbaceous perennials, plots of vegetables, manicured lawns and sculptural topiary.
Crocus are currently looking for a highly experienced and dynamic Head Gardener, who is able to take on the Crocus heritage of working with the country’s leading garden designers both on their major projects and gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show; and use this to inform the transformation of Crocus at Dorney.
As the Head Gardener of Crocus, you will also become the voice and face of the brand, inspiring the customers on their gardening journey, encouraging them with guidance and advice. The role will see you provide horticultural advice through the Crocus social media channels, write or provide the content for articles to go on the website, as well as representing Crocus at horticultural events throughout the year.
The role will be based at Crocus at Dorney in Windsor, with some time spent at the nursery in Windlesham, Surrey. This is a dynamic and public-facing role which will see you move from designing and maintaining borders to filming content for Crocus channels and writing short articles guiding Crocus customers with tips and advice.
Alongside outstanding horticultural knowledge, the candidate will need to have a solid understanding of the principles of garden design, with experience of working on gardens that have seen you translate, maintain or evolve a design vision into a reality. A Level 3 or above RHS horticultural qualification and/or equivalent experience as a Head Gardener are required. People management skills to bring everyone along with you to deliver the plan are key, as is confidence and being comfortable in front of a camera. Enthusiasm and commitment to get the job done well and a positive ‘can do’ attitude are important.
Contract: Part-time, 24 hours per week
Salary: Up to £35,000 per year with benefits: company pension, cycle to work scheme, employee discount.
Crocus at Dorney: Head Gardener employer: Thedirt
Contact Detail:
Thedirt Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Crocus at Dorney: Head Gardener
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Crocus at Dorney's unique offerings and aesthetic. Visit the plant centre if possible, and engage with their social media to understand their brand voice and customer interactions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your horticultural expertise by preparing a portfolio of your previous garden designs and projects. Highlight any experience you have with high-profile events like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to demonstrate your capability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your public speaking and presentation skills, as you'll be representing Crocus at events and on social media. Consider creating short videos or articles that reflect your gardening knowledge and style to share with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the horticultural community, especially those who have worked with Crocus or similar brands. Attend gardening events and workshops to build connections that could support your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Crocus at Dorney: Head Gardener
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Head Gardener position. Highlight your relevant experience in horticulture, garden design, and public engagement.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your horticultural qualifications, experience with garden design, and any public-facing roles you've held. Emphasise your ability to inspire and guide customers, as well as your people management skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for gardening and your vision for Crocus at Dorney. Mention specific experiences that align with the role, such as working with leading garden designers or engaging with customers through social media.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role involves creating content for social media and articles, consider including links to any relevant writing samples or videos where you demonstrate your communication skills and horticultural knowledge.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thedirt
✨Showcase Your Horticultural Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your extensive knowledge of plants and garden design. Highlight specific projects you've worked on, especially those that align with the Crocus heritage and their collaboration with leading garden designers.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since this role involves being the face of the brand, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Think about how you would engage with customers both in person and through social media, and be ready to share examples of your previous communication experiences.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about real-life gardening challenges. Prepare to discuss how you would approach designing or maintaining a garden, and be ready to offer practical solutions that reflect your understanding of horticulture and garden design principles.
✨Exude Enthusiasm and Positivity
Your attitude can make a significant difference in an interview. Show your passion for gardening and your commitment to inspiring others. A positive 'can do' attitude will resonate well with the interviewers and reflect the values of Crocus.