An excellent leader, with experience and passion for sharing your knowledge and skills with volunteers, staff and wider teams An understanding of the importance of spirit of place in maintaining and developing a historic garden Committed to climate conscious and sustainable gardening RHS Level 3 (or equivalent) as well as practical gardening/horticulture experience Enjoys a hands on, collaborative approach with the team Evidence of contribution towards interventions / programmes to enhance visitor engagement, drive visitors or deepen community connections Head GardenerYou’ll lead a team with three gardeners and 50 volunteers ranging from those developing new skills, to passionate experts. A practical hands-on approach is required, working alongside these teams for approximately 60% of your week. Ham House and Garden is amongst the most significant places in the Trust’s ownership. It is a rare 17th century survival, a place of exquisite symmetry and structure, a centre of pioneering collecting and design, telling stories of perilous political machinations and strong women. It’s also a property embracing innovation, relevance and future thinking, with the garden pioneering best practice in nature friendly, heritage gardening. From climate change mitigation and kitchen garden productivity to community working, Ham’s garden is always developing, all whilst holding ourselves to the highest standards of horticulture and presentation. Please see attached document for more information about Ham, the role and the Garden Team.You’ll be ensuring presentation standards remain high, as well as further developing the seasonal variety throughout the garden to keep visitors coming back. We’re also about to embark on 10 year planning, so we’ll be looking at development projects to ensure our historic garden is fit for purpose in the face of the climate and nature crises and contributing towards our local community too. We expect you to be really invested in your people, sharing your horticultural expertise and developing their skills too. Collaboration across departments is also vital, and you’ll work closely with the Property Curator and Visitor Operations and Experience Manager to create and help deliver a cohesive and inspiring experience for our growing audiences. Some bank holiday and weekend working is required as part of a site-wide Duty Management rota.The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)• Rental deposit loan scheme• Season ticket loan• EV car lease scheme • Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.• Flexible working whenever possible• Employee assistance programme• Free parking at most Trust places Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you. Closing Date: 29 September 2024 Interviews: 7 October 2024To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiriesnationaltrust.org.ukIf you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustmentsnationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.Equal Opportunities Statement The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here. Safeguarding Statement The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. 156184IRC156184Richmond-upon-ThamesPermanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)Ends: Sep 29th 9 mi from undefinedThis Head Gardener role offers the best elements of heritage gardening, with a strong nature focus too. You’ll get to lead a garden and its rich history with creativity and innovation, while advocating for the importance of accessible, beautiful, nature rich, urban green space. The advertised salary of £40,000 is inclusive of the Outer London Weighting Allowance of £3,315 per annum. For an informal chat before applying, please contact: Megan.Tannernationaltrust.org.ukHam House, Ham Street, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 7RSCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK40,000 pa