Head Gardener - Live Out - EC7961

An incredible opportunity has arisen for a Head Gardener to manage and maintain the beautiful 5-acre walled garden, glasshouses and private family garden that is surrounded by traditional parkland. The Estate is 12 miles from the stunning north Norfolk coast, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with saltmarshes teaming with birdlife and some of the most impressive beaches in the country. There is a vibrant local producer foodie community with farmers markets and events throughout the year.

In 1991, the owner set about creating a new area within the walls of the old kitchen garden as a memorial. With help from the then head gardener and – later – award winning designers, the space was divided into several contrasting ‘ornamental gardens.’ These include a spectacular 120-metre-long, 7-metre-deep double-sided herbaceous border which forms the centre piece of the garden, an Italian garden, a formal rose parterre, fruit and vegetable gardens, a glasshouse, a rustic temple, antique statues, fountains and contemporary sculptures. The walled garden is open to the public over the summer months.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for the day to day running of the gardens and compiling weekly reports, to ensure excellent standards of horticultural husbandry and plantsmanship are employed year-round. The Team is made up of 4 full time staff, an apprentice and volunteers and the Head Gardener will be responsible for supervising staff, contractors and volunteers, including recruitment, training and development and rostering of staff including weekends. The successful applicant will ensure there is an extensive quantity and selection of mature unusual plants grown in the glasshouses to suit the needs of the hall throughout the year. A good understanding of H & S legislations is important ensuring the team comply.

The successful candidate will hold an RHS level 3 practical / HND / Degree in horticulture / landscape management or equivalent with practical experience in horticultural techniques and ideally have experience of working in a historic garden open to the public. He / She will have proven inspirational leadership experience and the ability to prioritise tasks and to work under pressure. Excellent communication, presentation and administrative skills is vital for the role as well as proven hands on experience and knowledge in the following areas; the care of unusual mature houseplants and orchids grown under glass, managing and maintaining extensive traditional herbaceous borders throughout the year, pruning and caring for trained fruit, pruning and caring for roses and lawncare.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence. Excellent plant knowledge and a genuine passion for horticulture are essential, as are excellent time and staff management skills, a keen eye for detail, a good level of physical fitness, happy to work in all weather conditions and the willingness to lead by example. A good understanding and ability to use of a wide range of specialist equipment and machinery including the management and maintenance thereof is an advantage.

A generous salary is provided for the successful candidate and includes pension, private health cover and death in service cover. Accommodation could be available at a concessionary rent.

Much of the planting in the walled garden is in need of sympathetic rejuvenation in collaboration with the owners. The role of Head Gardener will suit a skilled, experienced, energetic and proactive team player who enjoys realising and maintaining the vision of others.

SALARY:        Circa £31,250  

LOCATION: North Norfolk

JOB No:          EC7961

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin 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.