Head Gardener

This is an exciting opportunity for a high-level horticultural expert to take ownership of a prestigious, recently established 28-acre private estate based in Guernsey, with richly diverse gardens. The successful candidate will combine hands-on horticultural excellence with strong leadership and estate management skills.

Private Estate Management (Domestic)

Reporting to: Estate Owner

As the Head Gardener of a recently established 28-acre private estate, you will lead a dedicated team to maintain and evolve a richly diverse landscape encompassing a South African garden, a cider orchard, a heritage orchard, a wildflower meadow, a small vegetable garden, woodland, an English country garden, an orchid collection, and a greenhouse, with a second, larger greenhouse planned.  You will bridge the gap between vision and execution, working closely with the owner and the Garden Designer to ensure each of these distinct areas is developed and maintained to the highest standard. 

The role requires the individual to work outdoors in all weather conditions and to have a good level of physical fitness.  The utmost discretion and confidentiality is required, especially given the close proximity to the owner’s property.

Working outdoors in all weather conditions and a good level of physical fitness.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Manage and motivate a team of gardeners, overseeing daily operations and ongoing professional development.
• Estate Evolution: Work with the Garden Designer to implement and manage the long-term development of the grounds, including the planning and establishment of the new larger greenhouse.
• Specialist Horticulture: Maintain and develop the estate's diverse features, including the South African garden, orchid collection, cider and heritage orchards, wildflower meadow, English country garden, woodland, productive vegetable and cut-flower gardens, and the existing and planned greenhouse facilities.
• Operational Management: Manage the annual garden budget, oversee Health & Safety compliance, and ensure the proper maintenance of machinery and tools.
• Sustainable Practice: Implement biological and mechanical (rather than chemical) approaches, focusing on long term sustainability and biodiversity across all areas of the estate. 
• Contractor Oversight: Ensure any external contracted work is carried out to a high standard and complies with all Health & Safety requirements.
• Seasonal Planning — Responsibility for seasonal planting plans, succession planting, and year-round colour/interest.
• Record-Keeping & Reporting — Maintaining plant records, garden journals, logs, and providing regular written or verbal updates.

Additional Opportunity —(Commercial)

For the right candidate, there is significant scope to expand the role to include the position of Regional Gardens Manager to oversee the gardens of five hotel properties across the Channel Islands. This commercial dimension would involve setting and maintaining horticultural standards across the portfolio, working with hotel teams to enhance the guest experience, and ensuring brand consistency in garden presentation. This represents an exciting opportunity for a candidate who thrives on variety and wishes to broaden their professional impact beyond the private estate.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: RHS Diploma Level 3 (minimum) or equivalent practical horticultural training.
• Experience: Proven track record managing or deputising for large estates and complex commercial projects, ideally with experience across a variety of garden styles and specialist collections.
• Technical Skills: Expert knowledge of vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, orchard management, specialist glasshouse cultivation, and the care of diverse plant collections including orchids and South African species.
• Machinery: Proficient in operating and maintaining estate machinery (tractors, chippers, powered handheld equipment, etc.). A full driving licence is essential.

Core Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to manage diverse teams across multiple locations with tact and diplomacy.
• Sustainability Mindset: A deep commitment to ecological and biological gardening practices.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills for reporting to private owners, hotel executives, and guests. 
• Business Acumen: Experience in budgeting, procurement negotiation, and project costing.

Note: This role may require regular travel between hotels within the Channel Islands. A flexible, results-oriented approach is essential for balancing the needs of the private estate with the commercial demands of the hotel group.

Discretionary Bonus

20 Days Annual Leave

9% Employer Pension Contribution

Private Medical Insurance

Income Protection 

Life Assurance