Head Gardener

Head GardenerAn excellent opportunity for an experienced horticultural professional to lead the care, maintenance and development of Grade II listed gardens and grounds within a nationally significant historic country park.If youve also worked in the following roles, wed also like to hear from you: Senior Gardener, Lead Gardener, Horticultural Supervisor, Gardens Manager, Horticultural Manager, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Estate Gardener, Grounds Supervisor, Landscape Supervisor, Garden Team LeaderSALARY: £29,719 - £31,691 per annum + BenefitsLOCATION: Elvaston, Derby, East Midlands (DE72) Hybrid working options, subject to service needs, can be discussed at interviewJOB TYPE: Full-Time, PermanentWORKING HOURS: 37 hours per weekJOB OVERVIEWThis is a rewarding opportunity for a Head Gardener to take a lead role in protecting, maintaining and enhancing historic gardens, grounds and wider estate landscapes for visitors, communities and future generations.Working as the Head Gardener you will support the delivery of horticultural standards, annual work schedules, garden maintenance, enhancement projects and safe working practices across the site.As the Head Gardener you will also line manage the gardening team, support contractors and volunteers, contribute to visitor engagement and help ensure the gardens deliver heritage, biodiversity, wellbeing and visitor experience benefits.DUTIESYour duties as the Head Gardener include:Horticultural Standards: Assist with establishing appropriate horticultural standards and annual schedules of work in line with the heritage status of the gardens and available resourcesGarden Maintenance: Ensure gardens and grounds are improved and maintained through safe delivery of management plans and effective use of colleagues, contractors, volunteers, plant and equipmentLandscape Enhancements: Manage horticultural enhancements across the gardens and wider estate in accordance with agreed plansTeam Leadership: Line manage gardening team members, organise work and provide practical horticultural advice, guidance and skills developmentContractor and Volunteer Support: Oversee contractor activity and support volunteers, community groups and partners involved in maintaining and enhancing the gardensVisitor Engagement: Contribute to high-quality visitor information, interpretation, events, activities, education and experiences that help people connect with nature and the outdoorsReporting and Planning: Report on completed and planned garden maintenance and enhancement programmes, preparing information and analysis for colleagues and managementBudget Awareness: Contribute to monitoring service budgets so resources are used efficiently and effectivelyStakeholder Working: Work collaboratively with internal teams, environmental stakeholders, public authorities, voluntary sector partners and community organisationsService Support: Represent the organisation from a countryside service perspective and deputise for the Countryside Assistant Manager when requiredCANDIDATE REQUIREMENTSESSENTIALSignificant practitioner experience in horticultural practicesExperience planning and supervising work to improve service efficiency and visitor or service user experienceExperience operating services or projects in line with health and safety management systemsExperience monitoring contractorsExperience organising and delivering engagement activities that strengthen visitors connections with nature and the outdoorsApplied horticultural knowledge and skills relating to the maintenance and development of grounds and gardensAbility to speak fluent English to communicate fully with clients and the publicInitiative and judgement to research and resolve problems independently or as part of a teamCourteous and professional approach when supporting the public, colleagues and partnersICT competentStrong desire to protect and enhance natural and built heritageTeam player with the ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partnersAbility and willingness to travel on a county and national scaleAbility to travel to remote locations, sometimes on foot over rough terrainLevel 3 qualification relevant to the responsibilities of the roleDESIRABLEExperience working with environmental stakeholders, public authorities and the voluntary sectorExperience working in Grade II listed gardens or equivalent historical gardensLevel 4 qualificationBENEFITS25 days of annual leave plus another 5 once you reach 5 years of continuous serviceFlexi time schemeGenerous local government pension schemeGuaranteed incremental annual pay increaseCycle to work schemeDiscounts at selected county leisure centres and much more!APPLY TODAYBy submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.JOB REF: AWDO-P15049Full-Time, Permanent Gardening and Horticulture Jobs, Careers and Vacancies. 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