Thanks to its inspirational creator, Lawrence Johnston, Hidcote has an international reputation and is widely regarded as responsible for setting the style of the English Garden in the 20th Century. Luxuriant planting contrasts with formal architectural frameworks and uplifting views to infinity – it is a magical place, which creates a lasting emotional connection for all who grow to love it.

We are looking to recruit someone with horticultural brilliance – a Head Gardener with a wealth of experience, a creative and artistic eye, sound plant knowledge and inspirational leadership skills. Someone who is able to live and breathe the spirit of Lawrence Johnston understanding our history, significance and stories.

You will also need to be committed to the National Trust's core purpose of conserving and sharing our special places with everyone, helping us to attract and engage with new audiences to ensure future generations connect with Hidcote in a way which is relevant to them. You will need to be a strategic thinker, able to work with others to develop solutions and opportunities for the whole business in a flexible way.

What it's like to work here You will join as Hidcote is entering an exciting phase as we prepare a new Conservation Management Plan which will set the future direction and conservation aspirations for the whole estate; closely following this we will be undertaking an Experience Design led approach to planning our Visitor Experience and the infrastructure required to support it. Supported by a strong and passionate garden team there is much to do and this is an immersive role with real opportunity to help us set the direction of Hidcote for generations to come.

With permanent staff across the whole site numbering 36, which swell to over 100 during peak months, welcoming 180k visitors, this is a popular and busy property. You will head a Garden Team comprised of 12 skilled horticulturalists, each with a passion for working here and a broad range of skills and experience, keen to make Hidcote the best it can be. The Visitor Team are dynamic and driven, keen to deliver the very best experiences for our visitors through welcome, interpretation, programming and events. We also have two Food & Beverage outlets and two retail outlets, including the highest turnover plant centre in the Trust.

Hidcote is a stimulating and vibrant place to work where each department relies on good communication and a shared understanding to deliver a cohesive experience.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

What you'll be doing

Combining technical plant knowledge with genuine artistry and creativity, your challenge is to interpret and develop this internationally significant garden, whilst remaining true to the spirit of Johnston’s original intentions.

You will be working collaboratively with the whole property team and our consultancy colleagues to ensure an integrated an aligned approach is taken, which conserves the garden and offers visitors meaningful and relevant opportunities to connect with it. You will be using your appreciation of the garden's spirit, history and heritage, combined with your demonstrable skills and experience, to help us develop a clear and coherent vision for the garden’s future direction. The development of a new Conservation Management Plan will ensure a sound foundation is in place for future direction and as Head Gardener you will be part of the core team developing it during 2019/20. You’ll then lead your talented team to realise it, taking decisive steps and moving with pace, energy and enthusiasm, to ensure Hidcote meets and exceeds expectations with respect to standards of conservation, presentation and visitor engagement.

Programming, interpretation and events will be key in realising our Curation and Experience aspirations and work with our Curator, Garden Specialist and our Visitor Team will ensure this is undertaken appropriately and in line with our Spirit of Place.

You will need to balance your time between being present in the garden to agree direction, standards and priorities, with time spent on property management contributions and longer term conservation and project and budget planning.

You will need a clear overview of all areas and how they integrate to create the whole in order to play a full part in the strategic leadership of the property. You will be an ambassador for the property and the National Trust at a regional, National, and international level, proud to talk about your garden and plans for it.

Who we're looking for

You will already have a proven track record with extensive experience as a head gardener, gardener-in-charge or assistant head gardener in a significant garden; you’ll be able to call on an impressively broad knowledge of plants, plus relevant horticultural qualifications.

Able to showcase your technical expertise and where you’ve applied your skills, you’ll be confident managing a complex garden throughout the seasons and will fully appreciate the importance of forward planning, access, interpretation, presentation and engagement.

You’ll have a natural flair for aesthetic flower garden design and development too. An inspiration to everyone around you, from colleagues and volunteers, to visitors and peers, you’ll be used to managing a large team and inspiring confidence in your direction. Your leadership style will be inspirational and enthusiastic adopting a coaching approach with your team who you will be keen to see develop and flourish as they progress on their own career paths. You will set high standards for yourself and all around you and be unwavering in your drive to achieve them and deliver results.

It would also be helpful if you can demonstrate the following on your CV

• Managing a significant garden with extensive and wide ranging practical experience in public heritage horticulture, presentation focused with a record of bringing new ideas to life

• Financial acumen with experience setting, managing and reporting against budget for operational and project based work

• Customer service focus with a deep commitment to ensuring that all visitors are able to engage with the garden and its stories in a way which is relevant to them.

• Coaching, developing, and supervising teams and giving timely constructive feedback to inspire and manage a large volunteer team and a highly skilled and motivated staff team

• Managing complex projects within an historic environment including the use of contractors delivering to agreed specifications and within relevant legislative frameworks.