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- Tasks: Lead and maintain a beautiful garden while supporting volunteers and engaging with the community.
- Company: Amisfield, a unique visitor attraction and therapeutic gardening resource.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, opportunity for creativity, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on wellbeing while enjoying nature and community engagement.
- Qualifications: RHS Level 3 or equivalent experience in garden management and volunteer management skills.
- Other info: Rolling annual contract with potential for job share; dynamic work environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
37.5 hours per week: Sun–Thu (or some variant thereof) April–Sept and (Mon–Fri) Oct–March. Amisfield’s eight-acre walled garden just outside Haddington in East Lothian is unique in being a visitor attraction, a volunteer project and a therapeutic gardening resource. We are seeking a Garden Manager to lead in ensuring the garden is a well‑maintained, safe, secure, and beautiful year‑round space which enhances the wellbeing of visitors and volunteers.
This role, looking after the garden and the volunteers, who include some with vulnerabilities, requires a blend of:
- Horticultural expertise
- Personal qualities: initiative, patience and tolerance, understanding and authority
- Organisational ability: to help deliver community events
- Commercial awareness: to help ensure financial viability
As the garden is open seven days a week from April to September, you will work a five‑day shift pattern with the Assistant Garden Manager to ensure at least one of you is in the garden each day, including weekends, during those months. Winter months will be a normal Mon‑Friday, with the possibility of one day working from home. You will manage your working hours in a flexible, responsible way, to meet the seasonality of the demands on your time – you are likely to work more hours during the growing season with time off in lieu during the winter months. You will report to the Chair of the Board of Trustees and will be asked to attend monthly evening board meetings.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in both collaborative and independent work settings - there are days when you will be working alone; with wide knowledge of plants and horticultural principles; and confident in dealing with a diverse range of people of all ages and abilities. The post will be on a rolling annual contract. The intention is to offer continuity of employment subject to satisfactory performance and the Trust’s financial position. A job share might be considered, but is not the preferred option.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership: Manage all horticultural aspects of the Garden, produce the annual planting plan, manage propagation, source materials (seeds, plants, compost, etc.), plan, organise and participate in the work required to deliver those plans, support the volunteers to maintain and enhance the garden in line with those plans and designs, manage and maintain all gardening equipment.
- Third Party Engagement: Act as the primary interface for third parties, local community groups and the visiting public.
- Day-to-day Management: Take full responsibility for opening and closing the garden, public safety, volunteer supervision, and garden security during solo shifts, manage the Assistant Garden Manager, manage a 7‑day rota April to September with the Assistant Garden Manager to ensure all public and volunteer sessions are staffed; and overlap with the AGM one day a week during that period to conduct handovers, coordinate garden events and open days, provide ‘on‑call’ support or clear protocols for the AGM when issues arise on their solo days, ensure all Health and Safety Executive (HSE) lone‑working assessments are updated for a public‑facing environment.
Requirements
- RHS Level 3 or equivalent experience in garden management.
- Reliability and confidence to manage a large public garden independently.
- Proven track record in working with and managing volunteers.
- Comfortable with lone working and making autonomous decisions in a public‑facing environment (e.g., closing the garden due to high winds) while working alone.
- IT literacy and familiarity with social media.
- Current First Aid qualification or a commitment to obtain one immediately.
- PVG clearance.
How to apply: Please send a CV and accompanying letter (maximum 2 sides of A4) outlining how you meet the job requirements.
Garden Manager in London employer: Trellis Scotland
Contact Detail:
Trellis Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the garden and its community! Before your interview, take a stroll around Amisfield’s walled garden. Familiarise yourself with the layout, the plants, and even chat with some volunteers. This shows your genuine interest and helps you connect with the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your horticultural expertise! Be ready to discuss your past experiences managing gardens and working with volunteers. Share specific examples of how you've handled challenges or improved a garden's health and beauty. We love hearing about your hands-on experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills! Talk about how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to support and motivate volunteers, especially those with vulnerabilities. We want to see that you can create a positive environment for everyone involved.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the garden's future plans, community events, or volunteer engagement. This shows your enthusiasm and helps us see that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Garden Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your horticultural expertise and how you've made a positive impact in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to match the job description. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the responsibilities of the Garden Manager role at Amisfield.
Be Personable and Approachable: Since this role involves working with volunteers and the public, it's important to convey your personal qualities in your application. Use a friendly tone and share examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse groups in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Amisfield!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trellis Scotland
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific plants, gardening techniques, and how you would manage the garden's annual planting plan. Showing your expertise will demonstrate that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or volunteers in the past. Highlight your ability to lead and support others, especially those with vulnerabilities. This will show that you can create a positive environment in the garden.
✨Understand Community Engagement
Familiarise yourself with Amisfield’s community involvement and visitor engagement strategies. Think about how you can enhance these efforts and be prepared to share your ideas during the interview. This shows your commitment to the garden's mission.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions about handling real-life situations, like managing the garden during adverse weather or dealing with public safety. Prepare to discuss your decision-making process and how you would ensure the garden remains a safe and welcoming space.
