Head Gardener

Rotherfield; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A beautiful rural estate in the United Kingdom is looking for an experienced Head Gardener to lead the regeneration of 12 acres of historic gardens. The role involves innovating garden improvement projects, enhancing soil health, and engaging the local community in sustainable practices. Candidates should possess horticultural qualifications and experience in diverse gardens. Benefits include accommodation on-site, health checks, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Housed/service accommodation included

Water & council tax paid

Log contribution

Generous employer pension contributions

Employee Assistance Program

Annual health checks

Designated woodland access

Great team!

Qualifications

• Lead a garden team and collaborate with management.
• Innovate and execute garden improvement projects.
• Develop long-term vision for soil health and biodiversity.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team and collaborate with the Owner.
• Plan and execute garden improvement projects.
• Enhance soil health and biodiversity.
• Expand learning opportunities for students.

Skills

Horticultural qualifications

Experience in horticulturally diverse gardens

Good physical fitness

Excellent plant identification

Project management

Strong communication

People management

Engaging young people

Job description

Role

We are looking for an energetic and experienced Head Gardener to lead on and develop the regeneration of 12 acres of historic gardens attached to the main house, including a 1-acre walled kitchen garden on an ecologically ambitious rural Estate.

Background

Rotherfield is a progressive estate, taking the best of the old and the new to create a well‑cared for, healthy and self‑sufficient community, where employment is not solely dependent on agriculture or local economic conditions. We are on a mission to continuously improve our soils and, in the long run, all outputs (social/economic/environmental) from our regenerative farming system. We believe that the landscape in which the estate community sits, should produce the optimal long‑term yields of food and other crops, whilst still being home to a diverse range of wildlife and restorative space for the people that live and work in it.

There are over 40 people working at Rotherfield across different teams, including an alternative provision for school refusers, founded last year. A strong group of Team Leaders work together directly with the Owner on our long‑term strategy to build ‘a thriving community for today and tomorrow’ where every decision is made with H.E.A.R.T (Honesty, Empathy, All in, Readiness and Thoughtfulness) in mind.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team and collaborate with the Owner, estate management, garden designers and landscape architects.
• Innovate, plan and execute garden improvement projects.
• Develop a 15‑year vision and management plan to enhance soil health, biodiversity and reduce maintenance.
• Expand opportunities for students to learn in the gardens, understanding soil health, food production and the rhythms of nature.

Requirements

• Horticultural qualifications
• Experience in horticulturally diverse gardens
• Good physical fitness
• Excellent plant identification
• Project management (plans, plants, people, budget)
• Strong communication
• People management
• A passion for what you do and the ability to engage others/young people

Benefits

• Housed/service accommodation included on beautiful estate in South Downs
• Water & council tax paid
• Log contribution
• Generous employer pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling service)
• Annual health checks
• Designated woodland access for team use
• Great team!

Contact

For a position description please contact the Estate Office on 01420 588207.

Applications close: COB Friday 30th January 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 9th February 2026