Summary

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Senior Gardener to join our team. 

Are you an experienced gardener, now ready to discover a new garden and take on a new challenge? This might be just the role for you. If you’re a dedicated and enthusiastic horticulturist, who's keen to make a difference, then we can offer you invaluable experience and development within one of the National Trust’s most visited historic gardens. 

Interviews: 23 July 2024

Please contact .uk or if you'd like to know more about this role. Candidates are also welcome to arrange a visit to the property to see the gardens and grounds, normal opening hours are between 10am and 5pm. 

What it's like to work here

This idyllic riverside garden is loved for its ancient trees, crystal clear chalk streams, rolling lawns and a world renown rose garden. We host two Plant Heritage National Plant Collections, of Rosa (pre-1900 'old fashioned' shrub roses), and Platanus (Plane trees). Welcoming over 360,000 visitors per year ,we’re a busy property with plenty of opportunities to engage, enthuse and inspire people about horticulture. 

Reporting to our Head Gardener you’ll be part of a small but dedicated team of 8 gardeners. You’ll line manage up to three gardeners, help to recruit and support our 60 garden volunteers, and supervise the day to day work of your team. 

We’re open to the public 7 days per week, 363 days of the year, so weekend working will be required on a rota basis (currently one in 7 to 8 weekends). Together with 9 other senior staff, you’ll also take on duty manager responsibilities on a rota basis.

Click here for more information about this location

What you'll be doing

Working with your team, your main focus will be the wider garden and grounds, this means you’ll be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions. You’ll understand why people love coming to this garden so much, and why your role is vital in making sure that they have their best possible day. 

An important part of your role will be supervising the day-to-day management of the garden, keeping our lawns, beds and borders, hedges, pathways and streams maintained to a high standard and ensuring our trees well cared for. You’ll help make sure our machinery is well maintained and that we’re compliant against health and safety legislation and best practice standards. 

As Senior Gardener, we’d like you to lead by example. You’ll demonstrate exceptional gardening skills, which others can follow and learn from. You’ll understand how to help the team manage their daily workload, and you’ll give inspiring and practical training to new staff and volunteers. You’ll build positive working relationships across the entire site and you’ll talk to people visiting the garden, telling them its story and answering their questions. 

Please also read the full role profile attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you, if you’re:

• someone who combines practical experience in horticulture with appropriate qualifications
• used to supervising others in a similar role 
• highly knowledgeable about plants
• confident in using and maintaining garden machinery, including chainsaws, tractors, hedge-trimmers and mowers (both walking and ride-on)
• aware of relevant legislation, compliance and best practice standards 
• good IT skills with the ability to use standard office software, whilst also willing to learn to use our plant database and volunteer management systems  

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•Tax-free childcare scheme

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

•Flexible working whenever possible

•Employee assistance programme

•Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.