Gardens & Parks Consultant

Job Description

Summary Are you an experienced head gardener whos looking for career progression Were looking for a highly experienced horticultural professional to join our talented team, providing specialist support and advice for our operational and consultancy teams on gardens,parklands and their plant collections.We want you to help us maximise the potential of our gardens and to ensure they continue to be highly cared for and enjoyed by many people long into the future.Its a diverse and rewarding role in an organisation with some of the best gardens in Englandto call your office.Working within the London South East region, youll spend your time working with our gardeners and property teams, on the day to day running of heritage gardens and advising on the conservation, management, and interpretation of our famous and much-lovedgardens, including gems like Sissinghurst, Mottisfont, Stowe and Chartwell.Interview date: 1,2 or 3rd March 2023JED3001 What its like to work here Our national consultancy is home to specialists in every field of our work, with resources, skills and experience shared across disciplines and boundaries. Our special places benefit from an extraordinary range of creative thinking and deep expertise, supportingour twin purpose of caring for the nations heritage and landscapes and making these accessible to all.No two days will be alike, but youll be working within a team of specialists to preserve our beautiful and significant gardens for the nation, for the future and to ensure visitors enjoy the best possible experience. What youll be doing

• Provide horticultural knowledge and skills to support our gardening teams in conserving our historically important gardens
• Help property teams ensure our gardens are historically accurate and reflect their own spirit of place
• Ensure correct planting and high standards of presentation
• Work with the teams to manage all aspects of gardening in the modern world including climate change, sustainability, IPM, tree management, and maintenance of water features, and hard landscaping aspects of the sites including garden features, new and historic
• Work closely with the curatorial and visitor experience teams to ensure access and conservation are always balanced, and that visitor enjoyment is always at the core of everything we do

Who were looking for

• An already established broad and deep knowledge of horticulture, gardens, garden history and plants and the latest trends and developments in horticulture, ideally with a recognised higher-level cultural qualification.
• Strong leadership, consulting, coaching and mentoring skills to support the development of our garden community across the region.
• Substantial knowledge and experience of the management and presentation of gardens and parks
• The ability to work with internal multi-skilled teams and external stakeholders
• The ability to present information in an engaging and persuasive way for technical and non-technical audiences alike.
• Project Management experience.

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.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

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

• Tax free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts i.e. 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 locations

• Independent financial advice

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