Head Gardener

**Southill House - Head Gardner**

**Introduction**

Located south of Bedford, Southill House is a Grade I listed property which is the private home of the Whitbread family. The house sits within 600 acres of registered parkland and forms part of the wider Southill Estate.

Mr and Mrs Whitbread seek to employ an experienced, self-motivated Head Gardener to help with the day-to-day management and maintenance of their private 18-acre mature garden and its surrounds extending in total to circa 26 acres (shaded red below). The role would suit someone who has a passion for, and interest in, the care of a significant private garden with a keen eye for detail. The house/gardens are not open to the public, except on specific occasions such as National Gardens Scheme open gardens.

**The Position**

The Gardens Department is usually staffed by a team of three; a Head Gardener and two assistant gardeners. Under the instruction of Mrs Whitbread, the Head Gardener is the line-manager for the two assistants, having responsibility for budgeting, planning (in liaison with Mrs Whitbread) and implementation.

**Key Duties**
- Line management and oversight of the gardens team to ensure the gardens are kept to the highest standard.
- Maintenance of all aspects of the gardens including: grass, tree and shrub maintenance, weeding and infrastructure (steps, ponds, paths, swimming pool area, terraces etc.)
- Ensuring all members of the gardens team work effectively with machinery and equipment such as lawn mowers, strimmers, blowers and hedge cutters.
- Maintenance of the kitchen garden carrying out tasks such as cropping, propagation and glasshouse work.
- Promote and monitor the safety and security of self, wider gardens team and others, maintaining a safe working environment in line with current legislation.
- Care for the welfare and upkeep of a small flock of chickens.
- At busy times of the year, the garden staff may be required to work additional hours. Weekend duties will also need to be catered for to manage the glasshouse and conservatory when appropriate.
- Occasionally, the garden the staff are required to carry out duties outside the boundaries of the formal gardens and within the House to assist with the smooth running of the wider Southill Estate.
- Actively build strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the Estate, particularly Woods, Farms and Property departments.

**Equipment**

The Gardens Department is well equipped with a broad range of ride-on and hand-held machinery and equipment.

**Housing**

Located within walking distance of Southill House, 4-bed accommodation is available at Park Farm Cottage. This property is in good order with an oil-fired central heating system and solid fuel stove. It has mains water & electricity and good sized garden. There is good access to schools and other local amenities.

Sufficiently educated and experienced in the management of a large private garden, able to work alone and with others as part of the team.
- A person of intelligence and integrity with a mature outlook and professional manner, able to lead and motivate the gardens team.
- Of friendly and articulate character, confident enough to take part in public events such as garden openings and tours.
- Hard working, conscientious and reliable, demonstrating a keen visual eye and a natural feel for nurturing plants.
- Good knowledge of garden machinery and its care as well as pesticides and chemicals used in gardening and horticulture.
- The post is largely of a practical nature and requires a good degree of physical fitness.

**Desirable Qualification requirements**:

- Recognised qualification in Horticulture such as RSA Level 2/3
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar gardening role
- Full, clean driving licence
- Tractor driving competency (desirable)

**Package & benefits**:

- Salary negotiable, depending on experience.
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- 40 hours per week with occasional weekend working.
- Training as required.
- Four-bedroom accommodation.
- Contributory pension scheme.