Head Gardener - Polesden Lacey

Job Description

Summary Do you have a talent for bringing out the best in places and peoplePolesden Lacey garden is simply blooming with potential, and we are looking for a Head Gardener to make it a reality.The recreation of a Head Gardener role at Polesden is a unique opportunityto make your mark on one of the most visited and cherished gardens in Surrey.If youre a passionate plantsperson, horticulturist and an inspiring leader, we want to hear from you.Were holding an open day on Saturday, 12th November. Come and find out more, over coffee and cake with our General Manager, Katherine. Please email .uk to book a timeslot. Well arrange free entry for you and your family for the day, so you can spend timediscovering the beautiful property afterwards.Salary: £35,022 - £44,500First interviews: 28th NovemberSecond interviews: 5th December What its like to work here People are at the heart of everything we do at Polesden and youll be joining a team of dedicated and ambitious individuals. Reporting into the General Manager, youll be part of the Property Leadership Team, a group of eight senior leaders all with differentbackgrounds and specialisms. We pride ourselves on a culture of supportive and collaborative teamwork and we push ourselves to achieve high standards.Youll be leading a team of six gardeners and around 80 volunteers. With two Senior Gardeners reporting directly to you, youll need to be comfortable with people management as well as leadership. The team also hosts an Apprentice Gardener who will benefitfrom your knowledge and experience.As part of the Property Leadership Team, youll be a Duty Manager for the site and will need to work a minimum of three weekend days per month. The role is based on property with occasional home working. Were just four miles outside of Dorking, howeveryoure likely to need your own transport to get here.Click here for more information about this location What youll be doing

• Creating and implementing an overall vision for the gardens and pleasure grounds, considering visitor numbers, visitor experience and the historic and horticultural importance of the gardens, grounds, and plant collections.
• Setting daily, weekly, and longer-term work plans, and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.
• Undertaking practical horticultural management, overseeing high standards of horticultural and presentation across our formal gardens and wider grounds, plus the propagation of plants for the gardens.
• Fostering excellent communication with visitors and the public on both horticultural practice and gardens interpretation, through our dedicated volunteer teams, through events, and through collaborating with our visitor experience and communications teams.
• Working collaboratively to identify funding and resources to deliver enhancements, improvements, and projects.
• Managing garden budgets and collaborating with the General Manager and other relevant teams to share project budgets.
• Responsible for compliance including the health and safety of your team, tree safety, and environmental management.

Who were looking for

• You put people first: whether its your own team, your colleagues, volunteers or visitors, youre naturally people focussed and a first class communicator.
• You see the big picture: the gardens here need a long term, cohesive vision and it will be down to you to create it.
• You know that little details make a big difference: you have high standards when it comes to presentation and you lead your team to strive for the same.
• Youre both a leader and a team player: to excel in this role, youll need to inspire you team, but also work closely with your colleagues to achieve collective goals.
• Youre passionate about connecting people and place: we welcome many thousands of visitors every year. Youll work with your team to ensure they have a great experience, whenever they come.

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

• Flexible working whenever possible.
• Free parking at most locations.
• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18).
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary.

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