Head Gardener

Head Gardener: £58,292.53

The Royal Automobile Club is an exclusive world-class private members club, with two stunning clubhouses located in London and Epsom. Providing a first-class service offering accommodation, dining, banqueting, sports and leisure facilities for the enjoyment of our members and their guests. A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head Gardener to join us at our Epsom clubhouse, to lead and inspire a team of dedicated horticulturists, to develop and deliver a clear and coherent vision for the garden’s future direction.

The gardens and woodland feature herbaceous borders, lawns, shrubberies, protected woodland, a lake, extensive wildflower meadows and a newly planted arboretum.

The pleasure grounds underwent extensive renovation over the past seven years and are now ready to be taken to the next level, with a focus on sustainability, ecology and a low maintenance approach, whilst granting an overall pleasant aesthetic.

Benefits of working at the Royal Automobile Club:

• 40-hour week with paid overtime
• Annual bonus
• Complimentary meals provided
• Extra annual leave day for birthday
• European RAC cover
• Staff discount in Club shop
• Long Service Awards
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Staff uniform
• Generous pension
• ‘Simply Health’ plan with allowances towards health and dental care
• Employee discounts trough ‘Perkbox’
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Twice yearly staff events

Purpose of the role:

The Head Gardener will lead a passionate team at our Woodcote Park clubhouse, and will take responsibility for providing an environment that reflects the values and heritage of the Royal Automobile Club. You will be responsible for both strategic and operational matters relating to gardens and woodland across the Woodcote Park estate. You will strive to exceed expectations in relation to standards of presentation and engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with the Senior Gardener for day-to-day management of the team, setting and monitoring workload, assessing performance, managing health and safety and providing appropriate mentoring
• Recruit, induct, train, and monitor staff with day-to-day coaching, offering support, yearly appraisals and regular 1-2-1’s to ensure the team are fully aligned and Club values are respected and embedded within staff members
• Develop a sustainable strategy for the gardens and woodland
• Ensure that planting schemes are appropriate for the time of year and that they are maintained consistently to a high horticultural standard
• Propose, communicate, and deliver on annual budgeting for the Gardening division
• Ensure full compliance with the clubhouse health and safety policy and ensure requirements are adhered to by all staff
• Ensuring equipment and vehicles are tested, licensed, and serviced
• Encourage cross departmental collaboration
• Assisting with members’ Activity Groups, garden visits, enquiries and promoting a high standard of customer service amongst the Gardening Team
• Effective supervision, leadership, development, and training of all Gardening staff
• Reporting regularly to the Resident Manager, with financial and operational information

Essentials:

• Experience managing an estate, public space, or heritage garden
• In-depth awareness of health and safety regulations
• Horticulture qualifications (diploma or equivalent)
• Pesticides spraying licence PA1 and PA6
• Land based machinery licence (tractors)
• Basic tree inspection
• Full driving licence
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Previous mentoring on horticultural equipment
• Computer literacy including Microsoft Office
• Operating experience in both ride-on and hand-held machinery

What to expect:

• Full job description available on request and ahead of an interview
• All applications will be reviewed
• Immediate interview dates available
• Closing date 21 April 2023
• Interviews week commencing 24th April