5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
£16.83 per hour, 40 hours per week
KYN Bickley, Bickley Park Rd, Bromley BR1 2AZ & KYN Hurlingham, 28 Daisy Lane, London, SW6 3DD
Head Gardener - Permanent Contract
About Our KYN Gardens
The Walled Garden at KYN Hurlingham has been created by leading garden designer Randle Siddeley to be a sanctuary for our residents and their families to spend time in an extraordinary and verdant oasis in the heart of Fulham. Few private gardens exist in Central London to rival it.
At KYN Bickley our garden provides seasonal splendour and multiple areas of interest to encourage residents outdoors to experience the sensory uplift of Nature and its proven health benefits. With a variety of routes in which to stroll, our gardens have greenhouses, lawns, hedges, wild grasses, fruit and feature trees, herb gardens, and fruit & vegetable patches to provide a familiar, sensory sanctuary for our green-fingered residents who are encouraged to participate wherever possible.
Head Gardener at KYN
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to lead and manage the horticultural activities across the gardens of our 2 Care Homes in Parsons Green and Bickley. At Parson Green this will be in connection with our Garden Designer, Randle Siddeley to ensure we are delivering his vision or this beautiful garden. This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and creative individual to oversee the maintenance, development, and enhancement of our beautiful gardens.
As Head Gardener, you will have the responsibility of ensuring the gardens are maintained to the highest standard, delivering a visually stunning and environmentally sustainable landscape that aligns with KYN's vision.
Key Responsibilities
* Carry out routine garden maintenance of all outdoor garden areas in our 2 care homes.
* Maintain the gardens, hedges, lawns and various borders.
* Oversee all aspects of garden maintenance, including weeding, planting, pruning, pest control, irrigation, and soil care.
* Plan and implement planting schemes and seasonal displays, ensuring a balance of aesthetics, biodiversity, and sustainability.
* Regular mowing & upkeep of lawn areas; ensure all paths, walkways and patios are swept clear of debris.
* Clipping of topiary and hedging as required.
* Develop and implement garden maintenance schedules.
* Support residents to engage in horticultural activities, such as sowing seeds, repotting, weeding and deadheading.
* Maintain and inspect a broad range of garden machinery and tools.
* Oversee the garden budget, ensuring cost-effective sourcing of plants, equipment, and materials.
* Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
* Promote environmentally friendly gardening practices.
* Collaborate with the events team to prepare the gardens for tours or events.
* Liaise with the Maintenance Manager to ensure the structure of the garden is maintained.
* Create a simple checklist for each garden for the days you are working in the other homes' gardens.
Key Requirements
* Strong background in horticulture with proven hands-on experience.
* Creativity and ability to plan visually appealing planting schemes.
* Competence in the use and maintenance of garden tools and machinery.
* Understanding of sustainable gardening practices.
* Ability to troubleshoot plant diseases, pests, and weather conditions.
* Relevant horticultural qualification (e.g., RHS Level 3, NVQ in Horticulture, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
About You
* Passionate about horticulture and nature.
* Creative and attention to detail.
* Proactive and hands-on approach.
* Adaptable and resilient.
* Five or more years' experience.
* Strong plant knowledge.
* Previous experience with large formal gardens.
* Horticulture qualification level 2 or 3.
* Professional and presentable demeanour.
* Mechanical knowledge of industry equipment.
About Our Commitment To You
* Competitive salary and benefits.
* 33 days annual leave including bank holidays.
* Complimentary meals, hot drinks, and snacks throughout your shift.
* Bespoke company induction and on-going training programmes.
* Access to the best-in-class equipment and technology.
* Custom-made uniforms provided.
* Annual bonus (discretionary).
* Employee assistance programme.
* Discount schemes.
* Company contributory pension scheme & life insurance.
To find out more about KYN, our teams and values please visit www.kyn.co.uk/careers.
KYN is an equal opportunities employer.
To be considered for this role you will have to provide proof of right to work in the UK and consent to an enhanced DBS check.
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