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Head Gardener - Live In/Out - EC6885

Employer
English Country Gardeners
Location
Ascot, Berkshire
Salary
Up to £50,000 DOE + Accommodation
Closing date
11 Jul 2019

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Gardening Jobs
Sector
Horticultural Specialist

An experienced and talented Head Gardener is sought to play a leading role on a stunning 80-acre estate located in Ascot, Berkshire.  This position would suit a proactive, committed hands-on Head Gardener with demonstrable experience in all aspects of garden and staff management.  The client is offering accommodation for the successful applicant, if required, in addition to a generous salary in line with experience.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for managing the 13-strong garden team; overseeing day-to-day garden management and maintenance operations, as well as for providing horticultural training for all team members.  Applicants must be friendly, hard-working, trustworthy and honest, with common sense, initiative, and a positive character.  Due to the nature of the private estate, the Head Gardener must be discreet and respectful of the family’s privacy when in residence.

This Grade II listed property is part of the Crown Estate and includes approximately 60-acres of Grade I listed gardens.  The estate is privately owned and is not open to the public but is meticulously cared for by the dedicated team of gardeners.  The Head Gardener will be responsible for ensuring all the gardens and grounds on the estate and surrounding family-owned properties are maintained to the highest possible standard.  This will include hands-on management of the lawns, tennis courts, swimming pool area, lake area, rose garden, fountain garden and greenhouse, as well as supervision and direction of the garden team and management of the garden budget.  The Head Gardener will be required to manage contractors when on site and to work alongside various garden designers where necessary.  A report will be required, with photographs, to present to the family on a monthly basis with regard to progress and development within the garden.

Applicants for this role should hold extensive experience at Head Gardener level as well as an academic horticultural qualification at Level 3 or above.  Suitable applicants will have demonstrable experience of garden staff management on horticulturally diverse privately-owned estates and must have excellent plant knowledge.  The Head Gardener must have a strong knowledge of a full range of garden features, including kitchen gardening, roses, specialist pruning techniques and seasonal garden management considerations, plant propagation and cut flowers, with competence in managing house plants.  The Head Gardener will report to and will work alongside, the Operations Manager, particularly with regard to special events at the estate.

This is a rare opportunity for a talented gardener to take a significant step in their career and to utilise their varied skill set.  Applicants must be competent in all aspects of the above and must be flexible in their approach, dedicated team players, and must strive for excellence in every aspect of their work. 

Working hours for this role are 07:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday, with some Saturdays and Bank Holidays required during busy periods.  Applicants are required to hold a full UK driving licence.  This position is offered as a live-in or live-out, depending on the successful applicant’s preferences and situation.

SALARY:       Up to £50,000 DOE + Accommodation

LOCATION:  Ascot, Berkshire

JOB No:          EC6885

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head Gardener vacancy.  Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.

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