We are looking for a horticultural expert who is great with people for this truly one-off opportunity to shape a special place with the needs of the local community at its heart.

The National Trust is in lease negotiations to take over the running of this site- a magnificent Grade 1 Registered Park and Garden in South Yorkshire. We’re looking to build a new, creative and collaborative leadership team to enable more people to experience Wentworth Castle Gardens, through events, activities, volunteering and employment opportunities.

Our current strategy is the most ambitious we have ever had and it’s also the most exciting. To meet the challenges we face in the historic and natural environment we know we need to work differently, have a more participative approach, working with new partners, communities and visitors in new ways.

Working in partnership with Northern College and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council we intend to develop a welcoming, inclusive and accessible green space at Wentworth Castle that is cherished by the diverse communities of South Yorkshire, it will be your role as Garden & Outdoors Manager to bring the whole landscape and all the many components of the gardens and parkland together to create an exceptional visitor experience.

What it's like to work here

Wentworth Castle Gardens is a site of national treasures. It comprises 63 acres of formal gardens and 500 acres of wider parkland. It also contains 26 listed buildings and monuments including Stainborough Castle – a mock medieval castle, and a Victorian conservatory which is one of the last surviving Victorian ‘winter gardens’ in the country and the first glass house to be lit by electricity. With 7 million people living within an hour, the potential for this site is huge.

What you'll be doing

Your number one responsibility as Garden & Outdoors Manager will be to develop the gardens and wider parkland so they provide an inspirational setting for everyone. We are looking for our outdoor spaces to allow people to explore, learn, and deliver significant public benefit that enriches people’s lives.  To do this, you’ll need to build and lead a team of staff and volunteers that are passionate about the stories behind the landscape and are all equipped to manage the disparate outdoor and indoor spaces to the highest standards of conservation, horticulture and visitor experience, as well as taking opportunities to enhance the value of the landscape for nature.

As well as being responsible for the strategic planning and day to day management of the garden and outdoor places, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to gradually strengthen the heritage significance of the landscape and historic assets by re-focusing maintenance and management across the site, including reviving and reinterpreting the Union Jack Garden and Fernery as a priority.

You will also explore opportunities to connect visitors in other ways to the gardens and landscape and you will play a key role in developing a programme of activities and events which place the landscape at the heart of their experience, including opportunities for people to get closer to nature.

PLEASE NOTE: Your job title will be Gardens & Outdoors Manager due to your responsibility managing both the gardens and outdoors teams.

Who we're looking for

This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to be a key player in making the Wentworth Castle Landscape a living and appreciated asset for the people of South Yorkshire growing people’s affection for the site alongside it being functional. Bringing such a great landscape back to life is no small task, so we are looking for an experienced gardener and inspiring leader of people with the following skills and experience to succeed in this role;

• Strong horticultural experience, with experience of managing an indoor plant collection, plant propagation facilities and the management of complex landscapes of varying scales

• Experience of managing a garden open to the public

• Experience of organising garden and outdoor activities

• Leadership skills including coaching, team development, motivation and communication and confident leading people through times of change (this role will be ‘transitioning’ an existing small gardening team and volunteers from WCT to NT)

• An innovative approach for engaging with a variety of audiences and stakeholders

• Experience of managing volunteers

• Understanding of managing budgets and working within financial targets

• Enthusiasm for the Trust’s cause and an ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

The package

Looking after you

• Health cash plan – from as little as £3.09 per month for you and your dependents

• Pension contribution match up to 10%

• EAP and proactive Health and Wellbeing

• Discounted gym membership at over 100 leisure facilities across the country

Looking after your career

• Grow your career through professional training courses across the Trust

• Develop your skills with an internal secondment

• Pay review linked to values and behaviours, commitment to progression

• Income protection due to illness

Unique to Us

• Work in some of the most beautiful, iconic and unique locations in the UK

• Free entry to NT properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• 20% off in our Retail and Food & Beverage outlets

• Discount up to 35% off a National Trust holiday cottage booking