Head Gardener

**The Organisation**

The Royal Parks (TRP) is a charity created in March 2017. We manage over 5,000 acres of diverse parkland, rare habitats and historic buildings and monuments in eight Royal Parks across London. These are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park, St James’s Park, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

We also manage other important public spaces including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our eight Royal Parks and other iconic green spaces are among the most visited attractions in the UK with 77 million visits every year.

We are now looking for a Head Gardener to join us on a full-time, permanent basis.

It’s approximately an 80% practical work so opportunities for remote working are limited

**The Benefits**
- Salary of £32,666 - £36,921 per annum, depending on experience
- 26 days' annual leave plus public holidays, increasing to 29 days after 3 years’ service
- Pension scheme (3% employee contribution; up to 10% employer contribution)
- Private medical insurance and healthcare cash plan
- Employee assistance programme and access to mental health first aiders
- Learning and development opportunities
- Cycle to work scheme
- Offices in a beautiful location

This is an incredible opportunity for a skilled, passionate and qualified horticulturist with an excellent leadership style and a strong grasp of H&S to join our renowned organisation.

In this critical role, you’ll have the chance to work in breathtaking surroundings as you manage horticulture across two of our most recognisable parks, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill. From the vibrant floral displays of Queen Mary’s Gardens to the sweeping views of Primrose Hill, you will contribute to a legacy of conservation, sustainability and community engagement.

With the second largest footprint after Richmond Park, the gardens within The Regent’s Park are considered some of the highest quality gardens in the Royal Parks’ portfolio. The parks also include a wide range of habitats and wildlife.

So, if you’re ready to take the lead in some of London’s most prestigious green spaces and make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you

**The Role**

As one of our Head Gardeners, you will lead the delivery of high-quality horticultural maintenance and conservation projects across The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.

You will oversee a Horticultural Resource Team and volunteers, ensuring the effective maintenance and enhancement of key horticultural features, including the planting and tending to establishment of a new high profile two-acre public garden.

Supporting the Assistant Park Manager in implementing landscape management plans, you will plan and deliver horticultural maintenance, ensuring the highest presentation standards, and overseeing seasonal and permanent planting schemes.

Engaging closely with apprentices and volunteers, you will provide guidance and training to enhance their development, while also working collaboratively with contractors and other teams to support landscape projects and maintenance activities.

Additionally, you will:
- Manage plant records
- Support biodiversity and sustainability initiatives
- Manage horticultural volunteers
- Oversee the procurement and maintenance of horticultural tools, PPE, and sustainable resources
- Assist in planning and delivering community and corporate volunteer days

**About You**

To be considered as our Head Gardener, you will need:

- Practical horticultural experience, ideally in a public park or publicly accessible garden
- Good knowledge of Health & Safety in the workplace
- Good knowledge of horticultural plant and machinery operations
- Excellent plant knowledge
- Excellent leadership, motivational and communication skills
- A formal horticultural qualification e.g. National Certificate in Horticulture, National Diploma, NVQ Level 3 (amenity horticulture) or RHS, or equivalent experience with a minimum of three years’ leading teams
- A full, valid driving licence

Other organisations may call this role Estate Grounds Manager, Grounds Maintenance Manager, Lead Gardener, Senior Horticulturist, or Landscape Manager.