Senior Gardner

Job Title: Senior Gardener – Full-time, Permanent (Live Out)

Salary: £40,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Location: Private Estate, near Banbury, North Oxfordshire.

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About the Role:

We are excited to invite applications for the position of Senior Gardener at a stunning, organically certified private estate in North Oxfordshire. The estate features sixteen acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds surrounding a historic sixteenth-century manor house, which has been featured in prestigious publications such as House & Garden and Gardens Illustrated.

As a Senior Gardener, you will join a small, dedicated team during a transformative period of the garden’s development, which includes new landscape designs from a renowned creative studio. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the estate's gardens, which include ornamental gardens, an orchard, a productive walled garden and glasshouse, cutting gardens, a gravel garden, a nuttery, wildflower meadows, a pond, and wetland areas.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and enhance the diverse range of garden areas, ensuring they meet the highest standards of horticultural excellence.

• Work collaboratively with the Head Gardener and the team, while also being capable of working independently for extended periods.

• Implement organic gardening practices and promote biodiversity within the estate.

• Assist with the maintenance of the cutting gardens and contribute to the estate's cut flower business.

• Perform high-quality border work, including detailed maintenance and pruning of a variety of plants.

• Manage routine maintenance tasks, including hedges, lawns, hard landscaping, and wildflower meadows.

• Utilize power tools for garden maintenance and ensure safe operation of all equipment.

• Occasionally oversee freelance gardeners during peak seasons or in the absence of the Head Gardener.

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Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years’ experience in a similar role within a private or historic estate.

• Demonstrable and extensive plant knowledge.

• Proficient in high-level border work and meticulous in garden maintenance.

• Excellent pruning skills across a range of plants, including perennials, shrubs, and climbers.

• Experience in maintaining hedges, lawns, and hard landscaping to a high standard.

• Familiarity with productive gardening, including vegetable and soft fruit production.

• Full clean UK driving license; experience driving ground vehicles (e.g., ride-on mowers, SWB/LWB vans) is beneficial.

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Desired Skills:

• Experience in producing organic cut flowers, including harvesting.

• Management skills to effectively oversee freelance gardeners when necessary.

• Ideally possess at least a Level 3 horticultural qualification in addition to the required professional experience.

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Working Hours:

• Routine hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Flexibility will be required to support the private family as needed.

Holiday:

• 28 days of holiday per annum, including bank holidays.

Reports To:

• Head Gardener & Estate Manager

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If you are a passionate and skilled gardener looking to make a significant impact in a beautiful and historic setting, we would love to hear from you Please submit your application, including your CV and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in the role