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Head Gardener

Employer
National Trust
Location
Rowallane Garden, BT24 7JA
Salary
£32,304
Closing date
1 Dec 2019

Job Details

What it's like to work here:
Rowallane Garden is a stunning garden founded in the 19th century, consisting of over 50 acres of formal garden and over 100 acres of farmland. This small but beautifully formed Irish Demense holds one of the most exciting and unique collections in the National Trust. Rowallane’s visitor numbers have doubled in the past 5 years and we now welcome over 100,000 visitors per year. The garden has evolved over the recent past, having survived disease to now become a bustling location where both people and the environment thrives.

What you'll be doing:
The Head Gardener's role is all about the big picture and delivery of long-term plans in the garden. An eye for conservation, preservation, day to day management and maintenance will be required to handle one of the finest Gardens in the country. You’ll have extensive plant knowledge, be green fingered and hands-on. You’ll have strong people management experience and you will lead with confidence, inspiring your team with a clear vision for the gardens. You’ll understand the standards required of a Nationally Significant garden and you’ll make sure that Rowallane is maintained and presented consistently and well.

You’ll lead your team to deliver a wide range of practical horticultural tasks. You’ll develop, enhance and conserve the garden and ensure the smooth and professional delivery of projects. This role involves working with the rest of the Property Management Team to influence and support the development of new plans and projects. You will play a key role within the team at Rowallane as we work together to meet the challenges the future brings, keeping our offer in tune with our 'Spirit of Place', while giving our visitors an exceptional experience.

You’ll be accountable for the day-to-day management of the garden staff and volunteers, but will have strong delegation skills to a responsible Deputy Head and Senior Gardener. You must have the confidence, knowledge and experience to maintain a high level of horticultural standards. You’ll prioritise and allocate tasks appropriately and within budget while always thinking of the bigger picture and the vision for the garden. You’ll conserve and build on the restoration work and planning that has already been done.

You’ll understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses and our historical places. Our visitors tell us how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our well-kept outdoor spaces, which makes your role vital in making sure they have an amazing experience. You'll also be confident working with local partners and other interested groups.

Who we are looking for:
We're looking for someone who is creative and thinks outside the box, and who can help share our magical story with visitors and supporters of all ages and backgrounds. To be successful in this role you’ll have;

  • Experience of managing teams of gardeners and volunteers
  • A love for sharing your knowledge and experience with volunteers, staff and team
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills RHS Level 3 (or equivalent) as well as practical gardening/horticulture experience
  • An excellent understanding of horticultural techniques and plant identification
  • Experience of using garden machinery
  • An understanding of Health & Safety and sustainable garden practice

Benefits:
Benefits include flexible working whenever possible plus free parking at most locations. You’ll be entitled to discounts in high street stores and cinemas, National Trust shops and NT cafes, and have free entry to NT properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18).

Your health and wellbeing is important to us and is supported through generous annual leave and the option to buy additional days (minimum contract length applies), a cycle to work scheme, subsidised health cash plan, a loan towards rental deposits and confidential access to a free support service 24 hours a day should you need it.

Your future financial health is helped by an employer matched - up to 10% of basic salary - contributory pension scheme and you can further your career with training and development tailored to you.

All of this and the opportunity to give something back to your community with up to 5 days of paid volunteering per year!

Company

There's no other organisation like the National Trust. No other organisation that brings such an amazing variety of places and spaces to life.

We are a charity founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, three people who saw the importance of our nation’s heritage and open spaces, and wanted to protect them for everyone to enjoy. More than a century after we were founded, our values are still at the heart of everything we do. And we do a lot more than you might think. 

We welcome some 22.5 million visitors, from all ages and backgrounds, every year. We care for historic houses, gardens, mills, forests, castles, miles of coastline, islands, holiday cottages, pubs and inns, whole villages and even a goldmine. We also run a huge retail chain, a multi-million pound food and beverage business and much, much more. And we do all of this so that everyone can enjoy and make the most of the green spaces and beautiful places that England, Wales and Northern Ireland has to offer. 

The National Trust is described by its employee gardeners as “dynamic, supportive, inquisitive and fun”, where its beautiful places “lift your spirits naturally” and “somewhere you can expand new skills”. The organisation is currently recruiting for a number of gardening roles. 

Read more in our latest articles:

What makes the National Trust a special place to work?

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