At The Alnwick Garden we strive to be a beacon of horticulture in the North with exciting 
opportunities to be planned and delivered by the Head Gardener.

The Head Gardener will be part of a proactive senior leadership team invested in each others 
success with the aims and object of the charity at the heart of everything we do. The position 
will have access to a generous package includes an appropriate house, pension scheme, and 
other benefits as well as opportunities to build on existing skills and develop new skills with 
several opportunities for continuous personal development.

As an organisation people are at the forefront of what we do and the Head Gardener will 
promote a collaborative and supportive environment within the team in line with the values 
of The Alnwick Garden

Duties and Responsibilities

1. To own and have overall responsibility for the Gardening function across The Alnwick 
   Garden and Lilidorei
2. To ensure the horticultural standards of The Alnwick Garden are at the highest 
   possible level
3. To provide leadership to Managers and leaders across the Gardening Team ensuring 
   The Alnwick Garden culture is firmly embedded and universally understood.
4. To effectively line manage all members of the gardening team. This includes regular 
   team meetings and1-1s, and conducting annual appraisals. 
5. To develop new and exciting initiatives to increase the number of horticultural visitors, 
   specifically in April, May, June and September.
6. To manage the Health and Safety function within the Gardening Team ensuring 
   gardeners are fully aware of Safe Systems of Work and of their Health and Safety 
   responsibilities to themselves, their colleagues and The Alnwick Garden as a whole.
7. To work with the Strategic Head of People and Culture to develop training plans and 
   budgets which ensure the gardening and facilities teams are sufficiently resourced to 
   achieve the required standards.
8. To work with the Strategic Head of Marketing to ensure messaging around 
   horticulture and horticultural offers, events and activities are communicated 
   effectively.
9. To work with the Strategic Head of Catering, Retail and Hospitality to manage and 
   support the Plant Centre team.
10. To develop the skills, knowledge and ability gardeners and of the Gardening Team as 
    a whole.
11. To plan and budget for major future costs for capital expenditure relating to the 
    Gardening function
12. To provide a visible and accessible presence for employees across both The Alnwick 
    Garden and Lilidorei.
13. To produce and implement a 5 year rolling horticulture plan
14. Act as a role model for all employees and leaders in the organisation in terms of overall 
    approach and conduct acting as an ambassador for the organisation at all times

Perrson Specification 
The successful applicant will have

1. Strong leadership ability with the ability to gain employee buy in at all levels.
2. Excellent understanding of horticulture and how this can drive footfall into The Garden 
   through new features, events and marketing
3. Ability to react to an ever changing environment and find creative solutions to often 
   complex issues.
4. Capable of developing long and short term strategies across multiple functions to 
   achieve business and financial objectives.
5. A strong understanding of resource planning processes in line with budgetary 
   constraints.
6. A background and, where appropriate, qualifications within horticulture.
7. Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and organisations 
8. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, often with competing deadlines, to 
   successful conclusions
9. Ability to understand the needs of the organisation and how this role contributes to 
   the overall success of The Alnwick Garden.
10. Ability to operate at a Strategic level and work with senior colleagues to deliver on 
    plans and achieve pre determined goals.
11. Outstanding planning and organising ability.
12. A strong understanding of Health and Safety and the relevant legislation. 
13. Experience of working with staff collaboratively to address skills and / or knowledge 
    gaps and respond to development opportunities.
14. Proven track record of delivering success in a comparable organisation with a similar 
    level of responsibility
15. Demonstrable experience of working within a Values driven environment and a 
    commitment to embracing and embedding The Alnwick Garden culture and values, 
    and to leading through example behaviourally

Our Values
Be able to demonstrate and practice:
• Trust - We are committed to build relationships of trust between each other and 
with our customers and beneficiaries. Our relationships will be grown on a foundation 
of openness and transparency. We will always strive to do what we said we would do 
and act at all times with honesty and integrity.

• Caring - We strive to be compassionate and kind to each other, our visitors and our 
community. Carefully listening to concerns and feedback is key to formulating a caring 
response.

• Respect - We will always endeavour to respect The Garden, its vision and everyone’s 
role in the team that makes The Garden successful. 

• Collaboration - We acknowledge that teamworking is the key to success. We 
commit to investing in each other’s success and will do what we can to support each 
other. We will have the strength to constructively challenge each other and will take 
such challenge as a supportive action. 

• Positivity - We will strive to ensure that The Garden is always seen as a symbol of 
positivity with a ‘can do’ mentality. Any challenge can be overcome with commitment, 
team work and a positive approach. 

• Accountability - We understand that things may not always go to plan but we will 
take responsibility for when things go wrong. We will ask for help when needed. We 
will identify errors as learning opportunities and do all we can to rectify mistakes 
promptly. 

• Quirky - We are proudly different and will never shy away from thinking outside the 
box and trying new things. We will always emphasise creativity and boldness and these 
traits will be embedded in The Garden’s design and entertainment programmes.

• Inclusivity and Accessibility - The Garden is a place for everyone to visit and enjoy 
regardless of background or viewpoint. We encourage everyone to express 
themselves and bring new ideas and new ways of working to the workplace. As an 
organisation we pride ourselves on having open doors and every employee having 
access to managers and department heads when needed. 

• Diversity - We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes 
and values diversity. We recognise that the different perspectives and characteristics 
our people bring with them can only benefit the organisation. By actively engaging with 
colleagues, we seek to create a positive environment where everyone from any 
background can do their best work and will not accept any actions which prevent that.