Senior Gardener

We're looking for a Senior Gardener with strong leadership and people skills to join the Gardens and Outdoors Team at Petworth House and Park. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver a refreshed vision for our historic Pleasure Ground Garden.

Our gardens and parkland are as significant as our houses and collections, and your work will play a vital role in caring for these special places for everyone, for ever.

What it's like to work here

Our team cares for a 40-acre Pleasure Ground Garden and a 700-acre deer park shaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Although rooted in Brown's landscape style, the garden has evolved over centuries and today features serpentine paths, specimen trees, shrubs and theatrical mixed borders that offer interest all year round.

Much planting was lost over time and during the Great Storm of 1987, and we're now delivering a programme of improvements to reimagine the Pleasure Ground. This work honours its Brownian origins, 250 years of changing design, and its unique Spirit of Place-while meeting the expectations of a modern audience.

We also care for one of the National Trust's largest collections of ancient and notable trees, wildflower meadows, spring bulbs, and expanding collections of specimen trees and shrubs.

What you'll be doing

We're a small team with a wide remit and plans to grow. As Senior Gardener, you'll support the Gardens and Outdoors Manager with ongoing enhancement projects and oversee the day-to-day running of the garden team. You'll work closely with, and help lead, our horticultural and grounds volunteers.

Alongside your horticultural expertise, you'll help coordinate and prioritise team workloads, share skills through hands-on training, and build strong relationships across the property. You'll be confident using and maintaining garden machinery, ensuring tools are kept in good working order.

Health and safety will sit at the heart of your work, making sure compliance tasks are completed and recorded. You'll also play an active role in engaging visitors, volunteers, and colleagues-sharing your passion for Petworth and helping to build support for its long-term conservation.

A full role profile is attached. You don't need to meet every requirement listed; it simply reflects the full scope of what's possible in the role.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• experience in practical horticulture and plant care
• confidence in team supervision and volunteer support
• skills in machinery use and adherence to safety compliance standards
• knowledge of project and programme delivery with measurable outcomes
• understanding of resource management and budget control
• skilled in visitor and stakeholder engagement, fostering positive relationships

For all other applicants, 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 health and safety legislation and practices

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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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