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Senior Gardener x 2

Employer
National Trust
Location
Ickworth, The Rotunda, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5QE
Salary
£25,662 per annum
Closing date
29 May 2022

Job Details

Summary        

Ickworth is a stunning location to work in and this is your opportunity to enrich the gardens’ beauty as one of our two Senior Gardeners. In an innovative approach, our Senior Gardeners will jointly lead the gardens department for at least the next 12 months, fully supported by the General Manager. At the end of this year, there will be the opportunity to explore a Head Gardener role if this is of interest to you.

Employing your horticultural and team leader skills you’ll continue to enhance our unique Italianate Garden, the Albana Walk and the wider garden areas (including a resting walled garden). You’ll develop a legacy to bring joy to our visitors, both drawing on history but also your own innovations.

We are recruiting 2 posts for Senior Gardener

What it's like to work here        

Job satisfaction will be high on your list of priorities if you’re considering working at Ickworth. The iconic Rotunda is set in 1,800 acres of gardens and parkland and more than 275,000 visitors come to enjoy and benefit from it every year.

Ickworth is located just a few miles from both vibrant Bury St Edmunds and the regional artery road A14. Travel is therefore quick and easy.

Like the visitors, you’ll be able to appreciate and benefit from this stunning setting. The property team is very strong and forward thinking. They are committed to their roles, to the National Trust’s aims and values and also to each other.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth .

Potential candidates are encouraged to visit or call to arrange an explorative conversation with the General Manager (01284 735270).

What you'll be doing        

Our two Senior Gardeners will work in collaboration to lead our gardens staff and volunteers who are eager to deliver their very best. You’ll utilise your skills and knowledge to implement high standards of garden maintenance and lead on new improvements. Much of your work will be hands-on, setting the standard and training others.

You’ll also have an office focus which will include planning rotas, project delivery, resourcing, finance and HR matters. We’ll provide support from our Business Services team when appropriate. Our Garden Consultant will support your workstreams and acts as an advisor you can call on.

As Senior Gardener, you’ll also be welcomed on to our Property Leadership Team. In this aspect of the role you will learn about, and contribute to, whole property decision making and direction.

Who we're looking for        

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

  • Strong horticultural education and training;
  • Good leadership skills in relation to communication, service and people;
  • An understanding of the importance of the “spirit of place” in maintaining and developing a historic garden;
  • Ability to develop visitor engagement with the gardens;
  • High expectations of self and others;
  • Ability to supervise, train and mentor staff and volunteers;
  • Ability to monitor and manage the resources and budgets that are delegated to you;
  • Willingness to lead on small or medium projects;
  • Commitment to managing risk;
  • Competent IT skills;
  • A desire to make a difference, show initiative and contribute to the core values of the Trust.

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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