Head Gardener

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a highly experienced and qualified Head Gardener within a private Estate in the North Cotswolds.

This is a key position within a recently acquired private Cotswolds Estate that comprises traditional parkland area, fields and paths, traditional walled garden, kitchen gardens, formal and informal lawns, ponds, orchard, woods, arboretum, bed and borders of large Grade II listed Hall and its various guest houses and cottages.  The role is to oversee the ever-evolving development of these areas into stunning well-maintained gardens.

The successful candidate will ideally have an accredited horticultural qualification, proven managerial experience and skills, and be able to provide classic and contemporary designs for new and existing areas. You must be able to train, support, motivate, and safeguard staff through good practice as well as manage relevant contractors and control the horticultural budgets.

Reporting to and working closely with the Estate Manager to present classic, contemporary and innovative concepts and designs to the Principals. The Head Gardener will need to be a good communicator and be able to adapt to changing the needs of the Estate and its wider legacy objectives.

Presently the gardens are in need of immediate restoration. However, the vision for the estate over a couple of years is to transition the current farming practices to more to natural wildflower rich fields, meadows, hedgerows with new additional woodlands and wetlands with the objective of increasing flora and fauna diversity.  Suitable contractors will support some of these new endeavours. 

The Head Gardener will develop the Fruit and Vegetable gardens and the Estate Orchards in providing self-sufficient and sustainable Organic produce. Overall, the Gardening team will work with the Kitchen team to utilise the wider ingredients (e.g. Game meats) harvested within the Estate to produce healthy and nutritious meals. The Gardening team will provide the main and guest residences with regular cut flowers for display.   

Applicants will have a minimum of 5 years Head Gardener experience in a similar Estate or Garden. This role would suit a someone who is dedicated, passionate, driven, hands on leads by Example. The Head Gardener will be physically fit and hold spray certificates, chainsaw certificates, First Aid Certificates and a clean driving licence ideally including trailer/ tractor. Experience with regular maintenance of garden and field machinery (ride on mowers, tractors, strimmer’s, chainsaws, leaf blowers, PTO driven topper, etc).   

The Estate values and rewards colleagues that are aspirational and passionate about their roles and will work harmoniously in delivering the exciting legacy that the Principals have in mind. The Head Gardener will be able help to develop the team of 3 or 4 existing members.

Working week: 45 hours per week, Monday to Friday (with some shared weekend flexibility during seasonal intensive periods). References and a current DBS will be required.  

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Tom Little.

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 position will have been unsuccessful.