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Position Title
Head of Horticulture

Reference
London-2026-052-S-RA1

Location
Central London:
- Winfield House, Regent’s Park
- The Embassy of the United States of America, Nine Elms
- Additional United States Government Sites (as needed)

Closing Date
Open until filled

Salary
£70,000-£95,228 gross salary per annum, commensurate with prior experience

Benefits
- Bi-weekly salary payments
- Merit Based Compensation (Performance Related Pay awards)
- Private Medical Insurance and Life Insurance Plans
- U.S. Embassy Group Personal Pension Plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- Annual and Sick Leave
- UK and U.S. paid public holidays
- Season Ticket Loan (Transportation)
- Training opportunities & personal development
- Restaurant facility (on-site at Embassy)
- Gym (on-site at Embassy)
- Metro Bank (on-site at Embassy)

The Embassy of the United States of America is seeking an experienced Head of Horticulture to oversee, maintain, and support various government properties across the Central London area. This full-time role will be responsible for the care and maintenance of a broad range of trees, shrubs, bulbs, annuals, herbaceous plants, fruit crops, and vegetables across a variety of gardens and throughout all seasons. Candidates should have experience that reflects the breadth and diversity of this work.

The ideal candidate possesses the following:

- Advanced proficiency in horticultural craft skills, with the ability to operate and demonstrate the use of horticultural machinery.
- Advanced knowledge and proven competency in the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of horticultural pests and diseases.
- Proven expertise in floral design and arrangement, with the ability to create and execute floral displays to an exceptional standard.
- A strong creative sensibility and exceptional attention to detail.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and professionally with a broad range of individuals, including VIPs, senior management, colleagues, and members of the public.
- Proven leadership and management capabilities, with the ability to effectively lead, develop, and motivate horticultural teams of seven or more gardeners.
- A minimum of five years' experience in the design, planning, and management of large-scale gardens and estates, ideally exceeding 15 acres.
- A collaborative and highly responsive approach, with the ability to work within a clearly defined creative vision, take direction with professionalism, and execute that vision with precision, consistency, and exceptional attention to detail.

The successful candidate will serve as the U.S. Government’s principal horticultural expert and authority in London. As such, exceptional horticultural expertise, professional judgement, and relevant experience are fundamental to the success of this role. The position is responsible for maintaining, advancing, and setting the highest horticultural standards across culturally and historically significant U.S. Government properties, including Winfield House, the Ambassador’s Residence and home to the second-largest private garden in central London.

Beyond Winfield House, the role will also oversee the care and maintenance of the gardens and landscaped grounds of the U.S. Embassy compound. The 3.5-acre exterior landscape includes extensive aquatic planting and vegetation associated with a 1.5-million-gallon lake, complemented by six principal interior garden spaces. The role will also provide horticultural oversight and support to additional U.S. Government-owned properties across London, as required.

The key responsibilities of this role are outlined via the apply button. All duties are expected to be carried out with the highest degree of professionalism, horticultural excellence, attention to detail, and service, reflecting the significance and representational nature of the properties under the role’s stewardship.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

For the experience and education requirements, applicants must meet either Option 1 or Option 2.

OPTION 1

Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the designing, planning and management of large gardens over ten acres in size. Experience in in-house floral design & decoration. Experience of the cyclical maintenance of a high-quality garden open to the public, a garden with specialist historic and botanic plant collections. Experience in the care, cultivation and conservation of landscape detail for external and internal landscapes with a wide variety of flora. Experienced with the procurement of nursery stock, for selection and quality and species selection for a variety of location situations. Experience in the selection/procurement of appropriate machinery for use on U.S. Government Owned property. Experience in the coordination, design, procurement and installation of floral designs and themed decoration for official events. Must have excellent proven experience in all aspects of horticultural management, ground maintenance, planning & budgeting.

In addition, a minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience.

Education
Formal Horticultural qualification: HND level or Degree in Horticulture or Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Master of Horticulture, or RHS Diploma in Horticulture or Kew Diploma or an equivalent qualification.

OPTION 2

Experience
A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the designing, planning and management of large gardens over ten acres in size. Experience in in-house floral design & decoration. Experience of the cyclical maintenance of a high-quality garden open to the public, a garden with specialist historic and botanic plant collections. Experience in the care, cultivation and conservation of landscape detail for external and internal landscapes with a wide variety of flora. Experienced with the procurement of nursery stock, for selection and quality and species selection for a variety of location situations. Experience in the selection/procurement of appropriate machinery for use on U.S. Government Owned property. Experience in the coordination, design, procurement and installation of floral designs and themed decoration for official events. Must have excellent proven experience in all aspects of horticultural management, ground maintenance, planning & budgeting.

In addition, a minimum of 4 years of supervisory experience.

Education
Secondary school or an equivalent academic education is required.

Language
Must be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English (this may be tested).

Skills & Abilities
Must hold a current UK driver’s license, or an equivalent license (EU issued license).

Certifications, Training, & Professional Competencies
Applicants should possess the following certifications, training, and demonstrated competencies, or recognized equivalents where applicable:

- Power tool operations (e.g., City & Guilds NPTC or equivalent)
- PA1 & PA6 pesticide application
- Lantra tractor operations
- Advanced horticultural machinery & equipment operation
- Arboricultural surveying & tree risk assessment
- First aid and health & safety training
- Microsoft Office suite proficiency

This role will involve working at height and lifting up to 25 kg.

ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR THIS VACANCY MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION VIA THE ELECTRONIC RECRUITMENT APPLICATION (ERA).

Pay: £70,000.00-£95,228.00 per hour

Work Location: In person