Head Gardener - Uckfield

***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE***

Are you looking to use your horticultural skills to make your mark on one of the countries best landscaped gardens? We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to lead our garden team as our Head Gardener.

Salary: £30,225.00 – £38,571.00 (depending on experience).

Interviews: 13th February

You're more than welcome to visit the property in preparation for your interview once you have been invited to the first stage. At this time please email sheffieldpark@nationaltrust.org.uk and we'll provide you an entry voucher for you to use to explore the wider gardens.

Widely regarded as a horticultural masterpiece, the elegant grade I registered landscaped gardens at Sheffield Park and Garden are alive with colour and wildlife. Five lakes and gorgeous views make this a picturesque location to work in. A series of designed interlinked lakes display mesmerising reflections of the tree and shrubs collection. Explore over 100 acres of traditional landscape gardens originally laid out by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton in the 18th Century.

Click here for more information about this location

Family-friendly events are a key part of the visitor experience at Sheffield Park and Garden and as one of the busiest National Trust Gardens in the region, there is a varied work role within this job supporting our events, programming and operations team to ensure that our visitors have memorable experiences.

We're a management team that welcomes people with plenty of ideas, a curious mind and energy that values working in historical surroundings to join us. This is a great opportunity to become part of a supportive and close-knit team in a place you’ll love working.

The role will include Duty Management cover which will include also include working Bank Holidays and weekends on a rota basis.

This is an exciting time to join the team at Sheffield Park and Garden as we embark on a journey regarding climate change and venture into new thinking about how to manage this historic landscape. This, in turn will influence our practices, the landscape as a whole and what that will mean for a listed and historic garden and landscape. There are lots of unknowns still around this topic and we, as a team are excited to be exploring within this space, working with partners and collaborators and venturing into unchartered places. This role will play a key part in the management of this within the garden and ensuring the wider team are Trust as a whole are a part of this journey.

We're creating a new garden area with a Chelsea gold medal winning designer to be implemented within our present garden that addresses adapting to climate change, engagement opportunities and has a strong well-being theme within this. This is the first time a major intervention has been made of this kind for many years within the garden so will need a keen eye for detail and leader to work with the team to support the delivery of this project and its ongoing care and maintenance.

Reporting directly to the General Manager for Sheffield Park and Garden, you'll be part of the property leadership team. You'll line manage 2 senior gardeners, who lead a wider team.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

• An experienced horticulturist with an interest in historic landscapes
• Leadership skills including coaching, team development, motivation with the ability to lead change
• Proven track record of manging budgets, finances and small projects
• Experience of managing operational risk
• Strong judgement and problem solving skills
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Able to communicate at various levels

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Tax free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most locations

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.