A fantastic opportunity for a hands-on Head Gardener at Harehope Hall in Northumberland has arisen. The position is offered on a full-time basis to care for this small estate in Northumberland consisting of formal gardens, walled gardens, productive greenhouse with vegetable patch, fruit trees, and various developing areas such as ponds and woodland walks. 

The ideal candidate will be creative and have the opportunity to explore new ideas within the gardens and grounds. He or she will have a true passion for plants and gardening, and a vision for enhancing the estate.

The ideal candidate will need to be hard-working, honest, and reliable. The ability to think for oneself as well as manage a small gardening team is essential, as is excellent communication with the owner of the estate and their agent. The ideal candidate will need to be skilful and experienced, with extensive plant knowledge and have good physical stamina.   

Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and motivate a small team of garden and estate staff.
• Develop, enhance and landscape the gardens and grounds with the ability to plan and design planting areas.
• Produce seasonal bedding displays from propagation to planting.
• Maintain and develop herbaceous borders and shrubberies.
• Develop and enhance the green houses and flower gardens.
• Ability to project manage multiple external contractors.
• Ensure the gardens and grounds are kept tidy.
• Ability to operate all garden machinery typically associated with garden care.

Requirements:

• Should have a HNC or HND in Horticulture (or equivalent) and quality experience working in this type of garden.
• Have a commitment to quality and a willingness to improve.
• Extremely organised with an ability to lead a small team.
• Have good communication skills with the ability to prioritise and coordinate tasks.
• Be passionate, confident and knowledgeable about gardening, and have a good understating of plants and horticultural techniques.
• A friendly, energetic and practical person with hands-on common sense.
• Honest, reliable and act at all times with integrity.
• The ability to work well as part of a friendly team is also very important

SALARY - £40,000 dependent on experience.  Performance based annual bonus in addition to salary. Accommodation is not included in the role.  There will be no house or accommodation available with this role.  The successful candidate will need to seek their own accommodation. 

To include 32 days annual leave including bank holidays.