We’re looking for a Head Gardener to lead a team of staff and volunteers and to guide the care and future development of the garden at Coleton Fishacre & the English Riviera portfolio. 

Around 100,000 visitors a year come to Coleton Fishacre, a 1920’s Arts and crafts-style house, with elegant Art Deco interiors which encapsulate the spirit of the jazz age. With RHS accredited gardens, viewpoints out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand, come and join our team who like our plants, thrive in this unique and sheltered location. 

For more information about our property please visit coleton-fishacre

Reporting into the General Manager, you’ll be managing a team of 3 staff and 40 volunteers. You’ll also lead any projects to restore or rework areas of the garden, giving you the opportunity for hands-on creativity and a dynamic approach to gardening.

You'll work with colleagues from other departments to make sure that people visiting can experience everything that makes this garden so special, including its stories, its challenges and the wildlife to be found within it.

Your priority will be to make sure that everyone feels welcome here. You’ll demonstrate inclusive leadership and work with others to make the changes needed to improve access to the garden. You’ll have a close working relationship with experts from the Trust’s internal consultancy, as well as working with and learning from others beyond the Trust.

As a member of the portfolio leadership team, you'll undertake duty management responsibilities on a rota basis. There may also be a requirement to occasionally work at other properties within the English Riviera portfolio.

You will be expected to work regular weekends and bank holidays.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• experienced in managing a varied garden in all seasons
• able to draw on your excellent knowledge of plants and plant care
• comfortable talking to all kinds of people and sharing your knowledge and expertise
• used to managing operational risk and compliance requirements relevant to horticulture
• committed to working as part of a wider team to build a culture of inclusion
• adept at managing resources, budgets and plans to make sure work gets done on time and to the highest standards
• qualified to RHS level 3 or above (or the equivalent vocational experience).

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)

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•Perks at work discounts such as 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 Trust places

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