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Head Gardener

Employer
National Trust
Location
TA11 7HU, Somerton
Salary
£27,735
Closing date
27 Jun 2021

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Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Function
Gardening Jobs
Sector
Charity & Voluntary

Job Details

The Head Gardener's role is all about the conservation and preservation, as well as the day to day management and maintenance of the gardens at Lytes Cary Manor and Tintinhull Garden. Green fingered and hands-on with people management experience, you’ll make sure that both sites are maintained to a high standard and be passionate and enthused by plants. This role includes working with the Visitor Experience team to ensure our visitors have an exceptional visit by listening to their needs and incorporating the 'Spirit of Place' of Lytes Cary and Tintinhull into the presentation of the gardens. This role will include a range of practical horticultural tasks to develop, enhance and conserve the garden and contribute to the delivery of projects.

 

You’ll be responsible for managing the garden team and volunteers daily and must be confident in maintaining a high level of horticultural standards, prioritising workloads across the two gardens and thinking about the bigger picture and vision for both places. You’ll love working outdoors and 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're looking for

  • Experience 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 practices

 

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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