West Suffolk Council, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU
Head Gardener
Starting salary £29,540 - £32,597 per annum plus excellent employee benefits package
Annualised hours
Permanent
Closing date: 30 September 2025
Reference: 0386
We are seeking a Head Gardener for the prestigious Abbey Gardens located in Bury St Edmunds. Sited beside the precinct of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and on the site of a former Benedictine Abbey.
This award-winning park has achieved regular success in the Britain in Bloom and Green Flag award competitions and is in the top 20 most visited free attractions in the VisitEngland 2023 annual survey. The gardens host a range of cultural and community events throughout the year and the site is currently in the first stage of a grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The role will be directly responsible for leading the gardening team and working closely with the Abbey Gardens Manager regarding the ongoing management and maintenance of the gardens.
What you will need:
The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, highly motivated and well-organised. Have a knowledge of horticultural operations and a good team player. An understanding of the importance of excellent customer service is essential.
This role will involve working some unsociable hours, so a flexible approach to working arrangements is essential.
In return we can offer you a competitive salary and pension scheme membership, as well as performance related pay rewards for those who excel. We offer flexible working arrangements, learning and development opportunities and generous annual leave entitlement, with an option to buy additional leave for those special occasions that arise in life. We also offer a benefits package which includes discounts on supermarkets and high street shops, cashback on holidays, childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme and money off household bills.
If you think you have the essential skills to fill this exciting role, then please apply.
If you think you have the essential skills to fill this exciting role, then please apply. For further details please email: simon.hobson@westsuffolk.gov.uk or gary.quilter@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Job description (pdf)
Person specification (pdf)
Core values (pdf)
How to apply
Please complete your application by visiting our website https://jobs.westsuffolk.gov.uk/ce0961li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID%3d3216957sFj&WVID=2862770hWe&LANG=USA
West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 councils for climate action and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2030.
Closing date: 30 September 2025.
