Head Gardener

If you’re enthusiastic about horticulture and have the vision, innovation, and skills to manage one of the National Trust’s most significant historic Grade 1 listed gardens then this job is for you.

We're looking for a Head Gardener to lead a team of staff and volunteers in delivering an outstanding garden offer at Belton Estate, including the Italian and Dutch gardens, pleasure grounds and exceptional conservatory.

Belton House is an outstanding 17th Century mansion renowned for its internationally significant art and architecture, surrounded by 1200 acres of spectacular parkland, Gardens and Pleasure Gardens. Welcoming over 440, 0000 visitors per year, Belton is one of the top ten pay for entry visitor businesses in the National Trust.

Working at Belton means joining an upbeat team committed to delivering superb visitor experiences, creating a culture of welcome and inclusion and delivering experiences that appeal to all who visit.

Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll be part of the Property Leadership Team holding accountability for day-to-day maintenance and long-term planning for the garden. You’ll set and deliver your own operating and conservation budgets and be responsible for the safety and compliance within the garden. The garden / office split is anticipated to be 80/20. You'll work some weekends and bank holidays on a Senior Leadership rota.

As Head Gardener you'll lead on the development of the gardens, working with the property leadership team to integrate the gardens into the whole estate experience as part of the Discovery House program. You’ll have the opportunity for hands-on creativity and dynamic gardening as well as managing a team including , four full time staff and a growing community of volunteers.

You'll share your passion for gardening by working with the visitor experience team to champion our cause and engage visitors with the beauty, nature and narratives of our garden. You’ll ensure everyone feels welcome through modelling inclusive leadership and working with other members of the team to make changes that improve access to the garden. You’ll work closely with experts from our internal consultancy and connect externally to ensure you’re always learning from others and identifying partnership opportunities where relevant.

If you have the following skills and experience, we would love to hear from you.

• proven experience of managing a diverse garden throughout the seasons
• ability to draw on your excellent knowledge of plants and plant care
• enthusiasm for horticulture, dedication to high quality presentation and a creative flair for gardening
• managing and motivating a team, setting high standards for yourself and those around you
• experience with managing operational risk and compliance requirements relevant to horticulture
• commitment to working as part of a wider team to build a culture of inclusion
•  managing resources, budgets and work plans to ensure quality delivery
• a higher level of horticultural experience supported by appropriate qualifications to RHS level 3 or above (or 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.