Job Title: Head Gardener
Location: Kensington Palace, London
Salary: £29,921 per annum
Job type: Permanent, Full time
Closing Date: 24th September 2018
The organisation is an independent, charity responsible for the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House – Whitehall, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle. They help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society in some of the greatest palaces ever built.
With nearly four million visitors to the Tower of London each year and in the region of seven million people that use the Wharf each year, the security provision at this iconic World Heritage site is paramount.
Role Overview:
They are currently looking for a dynamic and experienced hands-on Garden Team Manager to join their gardens team at Kensington Palace. Your role will be to manage a team of dedicated gardeners, taking responsibility for all garden activities and maintaining the gardens around the Palace to 5 star standards.
In addition you will be a key player in the new Kensington Orangery project which is looking to recreate a Garden and reconnect the Palace with a lost part of its horticultural history.
Leading from the front and working closely with your team, your duties will also include health and safety, staff development, work scheduling and the security of all equipment. You will also act as the Company’s representative in all matters relating to the day to day management of the gardens. A creative eye for floral bedding designs and plant selection is also important.
The Candidate:
Working within this team and with a keen eye for detail you will have a passion for gardening in prestigious gardens; a professional all round knowledge of garden maintenance tasks; and an understanding of what it means to provide a 5 Star service to visitors.
The successful candidate will be positive, team focused and competent in using a range of horticultural machinery, for example hedge trimmers, lawn mowers and other specialist equipment. You also need to have good range of traditional gardening skills such as pruning, clipping topiary, seasonal bed planting and tending to containerised trees, shrubs and exotics.
You will have a horticultural qualification at QCF level 3 with practical horticultural experience, as well as proven experience of managing a team. You should be a proactive, enthusiastic and well organised individual able to work both independently and part of a team. Good communication and IT skills are essential in this role. Previous experience of leading a team in a public Garden.
A full driving licence and PA1:PA6 certification would be advantageous
The Company is an equal opportunities employer and truly values a diverse workforce. Applications are welcome from candidates regardless of their background.
Please click on the APPLY button and CHECK YOUR EMAILS for the link to the Company’s careers page.
Candidates with experience of: Garden and Estates Manager, Garden and Estates Operative, Garden and Estates Team Leader, Garden Maintenance Team Leader, Ground Maintenance Operative, Gardener, Experienced Gardener, Grounds Maintenance, Maintenance, Garden Maintenance, General Maintenance, Garden Designer, Landscape Gardener, Grounds, Gardener, Garden Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance, Team Leader, Landscaper may also be considered for this role.
