Head Gardener

THE DEPARTMENT

The Gardens Team are part of the Estates Team and are made up of 10 professional Gardeners and Horticulturalists, 2 Trainee Gardeners and 1 Horticultural Student. The team is proud to care for the estate and all its horticultural requirements including a 2-acre lake, woodland, herbaceous and rose borders, exotic borders, riverbank and formal spaces. It is through the efforts of the Gardens Team that the Club’s members are rewarded year-on-year with award winning spaces in which to relax and enjoy an English country garden in the heart of the city.

THE ROLE

As Head Gardener you will work closely with your Senior Gardener and the Head of Grounds & Gardens. You will work full time; 39 hours over 5 days, plus occasional weekend working for special events, for which overtime or lieu is payable.

a) To oversee the daily operation of the Gardens Team, including 2 WRAGS trainees, an RHS Level 3 Horticultural student, 9 Gardeners and a Senior Gardener.
b) To organise and deliver personal development plans and training for all members of the gardening team.
c) To manage the budget for all horticultural plants and materials, ensuring cost-effective procurement.
d) To source and purchase all required plants, trees, shrubs and horticultural materials in line with agreed specifications.
e) To develop and manage annual fertiliser, IPM and chemical schedules, including ongoing reviews and purchasing.
f) To act as the primary BNG site contact, ensuring compliance with biodiversity requirements.
g) To correspond with Members, Committees and staff, supporting cross-departmental projects as required.
h) To work collaboratively with Club consultants and Landscape Architects to delivery high quality horticultural outcomes.
i) To conduct risk assessments and ensure COSHH compliance across all gardening operations.
j) To manage annual targets for biodiversity, water management & sustainability targets.
k) To action pest and disease controls in line with the biodiversity strategy.
l)  To oversee the management of the Club’s apiary, including volunteers, equipment and training.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

Candidates will embody the Club values; excellence, responsibility and courtesy.

• Substantial experience as a professional horticulturalist, ideally within a large estate.
• Proven track record of leading and developing a team.
• Experience managing diverse garden environments and delivering high standards.
• Sound and up to date pest and disease knowledge.
• Strong experience implementing planting schemes.
• Experience managing budgets effectively.
• Experience sourcing horticultural resources.
• Strong knowledge of plant husbandry, including an awareness of the implications of climate change, need for biodiversity and the methodologies surrounding these areas.
• Sound understanding of safe working practices.
• Experience working on an historical or heritage site with visitor facing high expectation environments (highly advantageous).

Benefits include: 

• 23 days of annual leave (rising to 28 days after 5 years’ continuous service) plus Bank Holidays.
• Generous contributory pension.
• Life assurance, group income protection and an enhanced sick pay scheme.
• Opportunities for training, development and progression.
• Annual bonus scheme and annual performance pay review.
• Staff social events, free meals on duty and free onsite parking.
• Along with other benefits!

The Hurlingham Club is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

Please note that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within four weeks then unfortunately you were not successful in your application on this occasion.

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