Summary

If you want a career in Gardening, we can offer you some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the UK to work in as well as one of the largest plant collections in Europe. This role offers a unique and exciting opportunity to lead the gardens of two small but significant properties; Monk’s House and Alfriston Clergy House. 

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week

Contract: permanent

What it's like to work here

Monks House is based in Rodmell near Lewes and was Leonard and Virginia Woolf's 16th-century country retreat, whilst Alfriston Clergy House was the National Trusts first building purchased in 1896. The gardens at both properties form a large part of the visitor experience and we are looking for an experienced, highly organised and motivated gardener to really push the boundaries and help us care for these historic gardens.

The role offers much autonomy within a framework so you can really put your own handwriting on these beautiful gardens. If you are a garden visionary that understands how to be sympathetic to the locations needs and spirit then this may be the role for you.

What you'll be doing

You’ll love working outdoors and understand that our gardens and grounds are as significant as our mansion houses, collections and our historical places. Our visitors tell us how much they enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our well-kept outdoor spaces, which makes your role vital in making sure our visitors have an amazing experience.

Therefore, as well as being passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the various plants within the gardens, you will also need to be just as enthused about telling the garden stories to our visitors. In support of this, you’ll also be expected to work with site teams to organise gardening workshops, tours and support the development of a programme of events

However, gardening skills on their own will not be enough to be successful in this role. Working as our only staff gardener, you will work alongside our Site Managers and other stakeholders within the Trust to deliver the highest possible standard of presentation, horticulture and visitor experience

You’ll set the direction of how we care for these wonderful gardens, write, and develop both short and longer-term garden management plans and you will deliver these plans by line managing and leading our skilled and dedicated gardens volunteers each day.  You'll lead by example, have exceptional gardening skills, but you’ll also understand how to manage the workload for this team, and deliver exceptional training to new and established volunteers. You therefore must be a great communicator and all-round people person; your interpersonal skills will be just as important as your technical skills in this role

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

Who we're looking for

To be successful in this role you should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Significant practical experience in horticulture supported by relevant qualifications

• Have supervisory experience from a similar role

• Excellent knowledge of plants

• Competent with the use and maintenance of garden machinery including chainsaws, tractors, hedge trimmers, pedestrian and ride on mowers

• Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and practice

The package

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary