Head Gardener

We’re looking for a highly experienced and dynamic Head Gardener who is able to take our heritage of working with the country’s leading Garden Designers both on their major projects and gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show; and use this to inform the transformation of Crocus at Dorney.

Crocus at Dorney is a magical walled garden and cafe, set in the grounds of the Dorney Court estate near Windsor, one of finest Tudor manor houses in England. The walled garden is a horticultural haven with ivy-clad walls and terracotta brickwork surrounding beds of herbaceous perennials, plots of vegetables, manicured lawns and sculptural topiary. All the bones are there to create a truly inspiring garden destination. Alongside outstanding horticultural knowledge, you’ll also need to have a solid understanding of the principles of garden design, with experience of working on gardens that have seen you translate, maintain or evolve a design vision into a reality.

As the Head Gardener of Crocus you will also become the voice and face of the brand, inspiring our customers on their gardening journey, encouraging them with guidance and advice. The role will see you provide horticultural advice through our social media channels, write or provide the content for articles to go on our website, as well as representing Crocus at horticultural events throughout the year. The role will be based at Crocus at Dorney in Windsor, with some time spent at our nursery in Windlesham, Surrey.

Main Purpose of the job:

To lead the transformation of the gardens of Crocus at Dorney to create a living articulation of the Crocus brand. As part of this work, you’ll also become the voice and face of the Crocus brand, to inspire and support our customers on their gardening journey with practical advice and encouragement. This is a dynamic and public-facing role which will see you move from designing and maintaining borders, to filming content for Crocus channels and writing short articles guiding Crocus customers with tips and advice.

• Overseeing the design, management and maintenance of the gardens at Crocus at Dorney. Utilising these gardens to create a living articulation of the Crocus brand. Specific tasks as follows:
• Designing the plan for the garden in consultation with Crocus Founders and key team members, and then overseeing the delivery of the plan in partnership with the team at Crocus at Dorney
• Work with key Crocus Plant Buyers and key team members to define the plan for the trial garden, and oversee its delivery throughout the year
• Managing the Horticultural Assistant to maintain the gardens
• Oversee the maintenance of the gardens around the Crocus office in Windlesham
• To use your extensive horticultural knowledge and passion to create content to inspire and support the Crocus customer on their garden journey, delivered through the following channels:
• Short articles to be featured on our website (these can be written on your behalf by our in house copywriter)
• Advice delivered on our social channels (written advice, video content & photos)
• Longer form advice videos for use on our Youtube channel and delivered through our app Iris

Skills & Experience

• Level 3 or above RHS horticultural qualification and/or equivalent experience as a Head Gardener
• A strong knowledge and passion of horticulture
• A vision for garden design, the ability to articulate and work with stakeholders to define the plan
• People management skills to bring everyone along with you to deliver the plan
• Confident and comfortable in front of camera
• Enthusiasm and commitment to get the job done well
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Physical fitness and energy levels
• Ability to work collaboratively and harmoniously as part of a team
• Must be flexible as the requirements of the role change
• Up-to-date knowledge of Health and Safety
• Able to interact with stakeholders and members of the public

• The ability to write copy would be a considerable advantage but not essential
• The ability to engage in our social media channels to respond to customers comments
• The ability to deliver horticultural focussed courses

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: Up to £35,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 24 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Store discount

Schedule:

• Flexitime

Experience:

• Social media marketing: 1 year (preferred)
• Copywriting: 1 year (preferred)
• Horticulture: 1 year (required)
• Landscaping: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: JC01