Head Gardener - Bruton

The Newt in Somerset wants to become the most exciting garden in England.

We are now recruiting a Head Gardener to lead us.

The gardens are nestled within an innovative visitor attraction, which includes, alongside the garden, a museum of gardening history, a reimagined Roman Villa, a Beezantium, restaurants and hotel. We are open to the public all year round and receive over 250,000 visitors.

Hadspen estate has evolved over three centuries, and we pay homage to this history. The diverse landscape includes ancient woodland, formal ornamental gardens, fruit tree collections, edible gardens and an arboretum, along with extensive nurseries and orchards. We celebrate every facet of this complex landscape and are determined to build a sustainable attraction.

The successful candidate needs the skill to manage a large team of gardeners with varied expertise. You will have enthusiasm to inspire, and the ability to present to an audience and to the media. Advanced horticultural training and experience of running a large garden are vital, but most of all, you will have a love of plants and digging your fingers into the soil.

This is a senior management role responsible for leading the garden planning, implementation, oversight and reporting. Annual highlights include participation in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and The Newt in Somerset Head Gardeners' Conference.

Skills and Experience

• The enthusiasm, expertise and energy to provide the best visitor experience in the UK.
• Experience of managing a successful garden at the highest level.
• Ability to motivate and manage a large team.
• Horticultural expertise, with academic qualifications.
• Hard-working and energetic, with excellent team building skills.
• Budget ownership.
• The personality to communicate well with internal and external audiences, and the media.
• A well-organised individual.
• Adequate IT skills.
• Clean UK driving license.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Stay in shape with our complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% of Spa Treatments.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Discover exclusive perks with our Discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a fantastic 30% discount at our restaurants.
• The opportunity to ensure your views are heard and shape the future of the business via our Employee Engine Room.
• Complimentary garden membership for the Newt and our partner gardens including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan
• Complimentary meal whilst on shift, created using fresh produce from our estate by our dedicated staff food chefs
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme "Newt Awards" with the opportunity to achieve a variety of amazing rewards including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme for both yourself and your family
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities including monthly Gather and Grow Motivational Speakers and our regular fun squad events, which include activities such as Go-Karting and Wine Tasting, to name but a few.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team