Head Gardener

The Role

A position has become vacant for a full-time Senior Gardener to work within the private family garden of Barkby Hall, Leicestershire. The applicant must demonstrate extensive horticultural knowledge, whilst evidencing experience of a ‘hands-on’ practical attitude in a professional environment. 

The successful applicant will work alongside a team of skilled gardeners and horticulturalists, and the family will call upon the Senior Gardener to provide a level of leadership, planning, continuity, and communication. This will include continual assessment of garden priorities, and regular meetings with both the family and estate management. 

Operational remits such as Health & Safety coordination, staff administration, purchasing and record-keeping are all held by estate management, allowing for the successful applicant to be focussed directly on the practical and horticultural elements of gardening. 

The Garden

The garden is a peaceful retreat for the family, who themselves take great pride in the design, maintenance, and development of the various features within the garden. Notable areas of the garden include formal lawns, croquet lawn, woodland walk, ancient orchards, a walled kitchen garden, camellia glasshouses, an ornamental pond, a white garden and both fragrant and rose gardens. The successful applicant must demonstrate knowledge of each specific area of the garden, both from a horticultural and practical standpoint. 

Whilst being a professional place of work, it is important that the successful candidate is appreciative of the fact that it is a private garden, and the highest of horticultural standards are expected from the team all-year round. The garden is traditionally opened to the public once a year for charity, such as part of the National Garden Scheme. 

The garden has a substantial history, which is displayed throughout its entirety. However, the family are not bound by this history and are developing the garden in line with current trends and design features. 

Application

Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly. An up-to-date CV and accompanying cover letter should be sent to fred@pochinestate.co.uk - from where shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.