Working Gardens Manager Near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire £50,000 - £60,000 per annum (DOE) Monday to Friday - 7:30 am – 4:30 pm (Hours may be adjusted seasonally) A prestigious private estate near Chipping Norton is seeking an experienced Working Gardens Manager to lead the development and maintenance of its extensive gardens and grounds. The gardens span approximately 14 acres, featuring extensive lawns and pleasure grounds with mature trees, bulbs, and wildflower underplanting. A productive kitchen garden and herbaceous borders add to the estate’s beauty, while the historic Walled Garden is home to a variety of fruit trees, with plans in place to enhance its productivity for use within the house and beyond. The Working Gardens Manager will take a hands-on leadership role, managing the outdoor team, overseeing projects, and ensuring the estate’s gardens are maintained to the highest standard. This position requires an organised and experienced team player with excellent communication skills, who can effectively lead, support, and enhance the skills of the existing team while actively participating in all practical gardening tasks. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage the Gardens Team, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of the estate’s gardening objectives. Act as the main point of contact for the Principals, facilitating smooth communication and supporting project planning. Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all gardening tasks, including kitchen garden, lawns, herbaceous borders, and pleasure grounds. Develop and manage a planting and production plan for the Kitchen Garden to meet the family’s requirements and liaise with the House to manage and utilise production. Lead the management of the Walled Garden, including fruit tree care, tree health monitoring, and fruit production for the family’s use. Monitor plant health and undertake stock reviews, seeking instructions for restocking when necessary. Collaborate with the team on the delivery of various practical tasks and seasonal projects to maintain the estate to the highest standards. Coordinate with the Principals and/or Family PA on diary management and event planning to ensure minimal disruption during key family moments. Skills & Attributes: Proven experience in gardens management, plant husbandry, and fruit and vegetable production. RHS qualifications or equivalent are desirable as is proven experience of gardens development and project delivery Strong leadership skills with experience managing a team within a private estate or historic garden setting. Excellent communication skills and a proactive, hands-on approach to estate gardening. Highly organised, with the ability to plan and execute projects efficiently. Physically fit and able to work in all weather conditions. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role within the Gardens team. The position is available immediately, and candidates must be within a commutable distance of the property