Feb
11
Head Gardener
February 11, 2022 | Comments Off on Head Gardener
Head Gardener - Blenheim Palace
This is a rare opportunity for a Head Gardener to lead the care and management of the iconic gardens which form a key part of the Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site.
Blenheim is a unique and famous landscape that attract visitors from across the world. The history of the gardens and of the palace are intertwined and they co-exist in a complementary way. Our gardens are a key part of the visitor attraction and an area of significant opportunity to both consolidate the magnificent setting we have and to create new features to engage a wider audience.
We want someone with a proven track record, fresh ideas and the drive to deliver them, placing Blenheim on the horticultural map for our visitors particularly in the walled garden. There is also scope for reimagining the personality of the formal gardens to create a stunning environment which will attract enthusiasts throughout the seasons.
This role will suit a creative and inspirational person with a strong knowledge base, not afraid to lead by example and looking to challenge themselves. You'll have the opportunity to develop exciting and unique ideas that will help us to attract new audiences and enhance our visitor experience by combining our history, culture and gardening to create spaces that are truly inspirational but that honour our origins.
Reporting to the Head of Estates your responsibilities will include:
- Working with the Palace team to engage visitors as part of the gardens experience.
- Design and planning of garden projects, including procurement, contractor liaison and maintenance planning.
- Management of personnel to ensure a happy and productive team, identifying training needs and highlighting any skills gaps.
- Preparing and agreeing annual budgets, including seasonal requirements and any development projects connected to the vision.
- Designing areas to be renovated within a well-considered and agreed design plan.
- Conduct regular meetings, forward-planning tasks, liaising with teams across the business, and ensuring delivery of projects.
- Maintenance and upkeep of the gardens, overseeing day-to-day operations with supervisors such as planting, borders, grass care, aerating, scarifying etc.
- Health and Safety, risk assessments, method statements and relevant legislation, LOLER regs, COSSH.
About you
- You will need empathy to take on the custodianship of a long-term gem like this.
- Strong managerial and leadership skills. You need to be a natural mentor and trainer who can lead, inspire and develop our future gardeners.
- Inherent integrity and discretion.
- Vision and the ability to deliver on it.
- A professional gardener with experience in heritage and amenity horticulture.
- Proven track record of success.
- Confidence and ability to build strong relationships with visitors and stakeholders, the personality and charisma to engage with our visitors and make them feel welcome.
- The ability to work autonomously.
- A hands-on approach.
- A can-do attitude and willingness to get involved with the wider Blenheim family.
The position is based at Blenheim and salary will be commensurate with experience and level of responsibility. We will ask for salary expectations as part of the application process.
The role will benefit from 25 days annual holiday plus bank holidays, an attractive pension scheme and a range of wider benefits including discounts and tickets, training and wellbeing initiatives.
To apply please provide a CV and a cover letter. Closing date 11th March 2022.
Please contact Emma Norridge, HR Advisor on for a detailed candidate brief if you are interested in hearing more about the role.
By applying for this role, your details will be sent to Ortolan People, who are engaged to provide recruitment support in processing applications. We will endeavour to respond to all applicants within three working days. Occasionally for roles with a very high volume of applicants, this may not be possible.