Job Description
Job Summary
The Head Gardener will manage and supervise a team consisting of gardeners, volunteers, contractors and consultants, and they will work towards maintaining the overall appearance of the grounds within the Charterhouse, which will in turn require that high standards of garden maintenance are carried out throughout the year.
This is an important public-facing role and the post-holder will have to be comfortable taking tours, hosting garden talks, attending gardens events and being the public face of the Charterhouse gardens. They will also be required to support the charterhouse’s public and community engagement work, and to promote the Charterhouse and its gardens on social media through blogs, vlogs and via the Instagram and other apps.
The Head Gardener will work primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and will be required to perform physical tasks as part of their role.
Key result areas
§ Lead, motivate and manage a team of gardeners and volunteers to ensure that the gardens and grounds are maintained to the highest standard.
§ Ensure all health and safety and compliance requirements are adhered to including the use of personal protective equipment and safe working practices.
§ Develop and implement a detailed garden maintenance plan that includes weeding, pruning, planting, pest control, fertilizing, and watering to ensure that the gardens and grounds are always in excellent condition.
§ Manage the planting, propagation and cultivation of all plants, shrubs, trees and flowers in the garden and greenhouse, ensuring that they are healthy and thriving.
§ Plan and oversee the design and layout of the gardens and outdoor spaces to ensure that they look attractive, and are functional and practical.
§ Work closely with the Head of Estates to develop and implement a long-term sustainable plan for the garden and grounds.
§ Maintain an inventory of all tools and equipment used for gardening and landscaping, ensuring that they are in good condition and that replacements are ordered as required.
§ Keep and maintain records of all work carried out in the gardens such as planting schedules, maintenance records, and inventory records.
§ Manage the maintenance and upkeep of garden structures, such as fences, trellises, composting areas and other.
§ Work with other departments where use of the gardens is required or may be affected.
§ Undertake regular public and private garden tours as scheduled.
§ Manage and oversee the budget for the garden and grounds department.
§ Ensure all staff and volunteers are appropriately trained and inducted.
§ Participate in public and community engagement events when required.
Person specification
Essential
§ Level 3 or above RHS horticultural qualification and/or equivalent experience as a head gardener within a similar size garden.
§ A strong knowledge and vision of horticulture.
§ Up-to-date knowledge of Health and Safety and COSHH regulations.
§ Experience of writing and reviewing risk assessments and assessments
§ IT literate MS365 and ability to manage budgets.
§ Experience managing teams and volunteers
§ Good presentation skills and personable, with a friendly approach
§ Able to interact with stakeholders, residents, staff, visitors and volunteers
§ Good communicator and experience of leading public tours and events
§ Adaptable to different working conditions
§ Understanding that you are part of a community.
Desirable
§ Working with older people
§ Working with community groups
Special circumstances
The Charterhouse is a 7 day a week operation and regularly hosts events outside of its core hours; flexibility to work occasional weekends, during holiday periods and before/after public opening hours is therefore an essential requirement of the role.
This position requires a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check, which will reveal any unspent convictions. A criminal record may not necessarily be a bar to employment, as any decision will be treated on its merits and individual circumstances subject to the Charterhouse’s overriding obligations to protect the children and vulnerable adults in its charge, members of the public, the safety of Charterhouse’s staff and collections.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £32,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 02/06/2023
Reference ID: Head Gardener at the Charterhouse