Head Gardener

We're looking for a Head Gardener to lead a team of staff and volunteers and to guide the care and future development of the gardens across the North Warwickshire Portfolio consisting of Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park, Packwood.

As part of the role you are expected to undertake Duty Manager responsibilities and you'll be working weekends and Bank holidays on a rota pattern.

Please provide a cover letter and CV when applying for this role.

What it's like to work here

The North Warwickshire Portfolio is a combination of 3 sites with historically different gardens, one being a listed Grade II garden, Packwood House. The portfolio has recently merged so we are in the midst of setting up new team dynamics and bringing in portfolio ways of working. You will be heading up a team of experienced, dedicated and creative gardeners. Your role will entail strategic and seasonal planning of the garden, and working hand in glove with the Ranger team for the wider landscape. You will manage a team across the 3 sites, have a vision and higher level view whilst maintaining visibility and hands on where feasible.

What you'll be doing

As our Head Gardener, you'll be managing a team of 8 staff and 50 volunteers. You'll also lead any projects to restore or rework areas of the garden, giving you the opportunity for hands-on creativity and a dynamic approach to gardening.

You'll work with colleagues from other departments to make sure that people visiting can experience everything that makes this garden so special, including its stories, its challenges and the wildlife to be found within it.

Your priority will be to make sure that everyone feels welcome here. You'll demonstrate inclusive leadership and work with others to make the changes needed to improve access to the garden. You'll have a close working relationship with experts from the Trust's internal consultancy, as well as working with and learning from others beyond the Trust.

As a senior leader, you'll be expected to work some weekends and bank holidays on a rota.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• experienced in managing a varied/listed garden in all seasons
• able to draw on your excellent knowledge of plants and plant care
• comfortable talking to all kinds of people and sharing your knowledge and expertise
• used to managing operational risk and compliance requirements relevant to horticulture
• qualified to RHS level 3 or above (or the equivalent vocational experience).

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