Senior Gardener
From Private Advertiser 7
Working For: Epsom College
Senior Gardener – Vacancy
The Senior Gardener will play a key leadership role within the Grounds and Gardens Team, taking responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the gardens team while leading the design, development, and presentation of the College’s ornamental gardens.
This is a hands-on role combining:
•Advanced horticultural expertise
•Garden design and planning
•Team leadership
•Contribution to wider estate and sports grounds operations
The postholder will ensure the College estate reflects prestige, heritage, and exceptional horticultural standards year-round.
Role and Responsibilities
GARDEN LEADERSHIP
•Supervise and support members of the gardening team, ensuring consistently high standards
•Allocate and monitor daily and seasonal tasks across the team
•Provide training, mentoring, and performance support
•Lead by example through hands-on involvement in all aspects of horticultural work
•Promote a positive, professional, and safety-conscious team culture
GARDEN DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND REJUVENTATION
•Lead the design, redesign, and rejuvenation of formal and informal gardens across the estate
•Develop and implement seasonal bedding schemes and long-term planting plans
•Enhance visual impact, biodiversity, and alignment with the College’s heritage
•Identify and deliver garden improvement and restoration projects
•Contribute to long-term landscape master planning and sustainability strategies
•Source plants and materials, maintaining relationships with nurseries and suppliers
HORTICULTURAL EXCELLENCE & GARDEN MAINTENANCE
•Maintain all gardens, borders, and landscaped areas to an exceptional standard of presentation
•Apply expert knowledge in:
1.Pruning (shrubs, roses, perennials)
2.Propagation and planting
3.Soil management and plant health
•Manage herbaceous borders, bedding displays, courtyards, and formal garden areas
•Ensure all areas are event-ready and visually outstanding year-round
•Oversee maintenance across boarding houses and key visitor-facing areas
FORMAL LAWNS & FINE TURF MANAGEMENT
•Maintain ornamental lawns and fine turf areas to a high standard
•Deliver turf programmes including:
•Mowing, feeding, aeration, scarification, and overseeding
•Monitor turf health and soil condition to ensure consistent quality
ARBORICULTURE & TREE MANAGEMENT
•Support the management of ornamental and heritage trees across the estate
•Assist with inspections, maintenance planning, and contractor coordination
•Contribute to long-term tree planting and replacement strategies
•Ensure safe pruning and care of trees, shrubs, and climbers
OPERATIONAL DELIVERY & WIDER ESTATE SUPPORT
•Plan and implement seasonal work programmes
•Support wider estate operations, including:
•Sports turf during peak periods
•Event preparation
•Weather response (e.g. snow clearance)
•Oversee and maintain gardens at off-site College properties where required
MACHINERY, RESOURCES & BUDGET AWARENESS
•Safely operate and maintain horticultural machinery and equipment
•Assist in procurement of plants, materials, and supplies
•Support efficient use of resources and cost-effective solutions
SUSTAINABILITY & BIODIVERSITY
Lead initiatives to:
•Enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats
•Introduce sustainable horticultural practices
•Promote environmentally responsible planting
•Support the College’s environmental and sustainability goals
HEALTH & SAFETY
•Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation and College policies
•Undertake risk assessments for horticultural activities
•Promote safe working practices across the team
Ensure safe use of machinery, tools, and chemicals
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
•Extensive practical experience in horticulture or estate gardening
•Strong knowledge of ornamental planting, garden maintenance, and turf care
•Experience in garden design and landscape development
•Proven ability to supervise or lead staff
•Excellent attention to detail and presentation standards
•Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•Strong organisational and communication skills
DESIRABLE
•RHS Level 2/3 or equivalent qualification in Horticulture or Garden Design
•PA1 & PA6 spraying certificates
•Arboricultural knowledge or qualifications
•Experience in a school, estate, or heritage environment
•Tractor and trailer licence
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
•Passion for horticultural excellence
•Creative and forward-thinking approach to garden design
•Proactive, reliable, and self-motivated
•Strong leadership and mentoring capability
•Flexible and responsive to seasonal demands and school events
Terms and Conditions
•Salary: £32,000 – £34,000 (to be discussed at interview)
•Hours: During term time (34 weeks of the year), your standard working week will be 45 hours. These will be scheduled on a rota between Monday and Saturday. In the Autumn and Spring terms, your hours will fall between 07:00 and 18:30. In the Summer term, this may extend to 20:00. Outside of term time, your working week is 40 hours.
Because of the nature of the role, some flexibility is required to support fixtures and events. Your work pattern, including any evening or weekend work, will be set by the Head of Grounds and Gardens through a rota provided with reasonable notice. Any overtime must be approved in advance.
Method of Application: Please apply as soon as possible as we may hold interviews for strong candidates prior to the closing date.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact us.
This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. Horticruitment are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.
If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here
For more gardener roles please click here