Head Gardener in Virginia Water

Head Gardener - Live Out Full Time • Location: Virginia Water, Surrey (GU25) • Salary: £45,000-£55,000 GPA, dependent on experience • Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm • Start: ASAP A wonderful opportunity has arisen for an experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated Head Gardener to take full responsibility for the maintenance and continued development of a beautiful private family estate in Virginia Water. This is a fantastic long-term opportunity for an accomplished Head Gardener who takes genuine pride in their work and enjoys creating and maintaining exceptional private gardens. The gardens are an important part of family life, with the principals taking a keen personal interest in their upkeep and seasonal development. The estate extends to approximately 2.5-3 acres and comprises predominantly formal lawns, mixed herbaceous planting, specimen trees, paved areas, a tennis court and an outdoor swimming pool. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the gardens are maintained to an exceptional standard throughout the year, whilst planning and carrying out seasonal horticultural tasks. Key Responsibilities • Overall management and hands-on maintenance of the estate gardens. • Care of formal lawns, mixed herbaceous planting and specimen trees. • Maintaining borders, hedging, paved areas, pathways, tennis court surrounds and pool area. • Planning and implementing seasonal planting, pruning and horticultural tasks. • Monitoring the health of plants, trees and shrubs, identifying and treating any issues. • Regular servicing, cleaning and maintenance of garden machinery, tools and equipment. • Liaising with the estate's appointed garden maintenance company, overseeing scheduled works and ensuring all external contractors meet the required standards. • Ensuring the gardens are presented to the highest standard at all times. • Working proactively and independently, whilst communicating with the principals regarding the ongoing care and development of the gardens. Candidate Requirements • Previous experience working as a Head Gardener on a similar-sized private estate is essential. • Excellent horticultural knowledge with strong plant identification skills. • A genuine passion for gardening and maintaining high-quality private grounds. • Highly organised with the ability to plan seasonal workloads effectively. • Dedicated, hardworking and self-motivated with excellent attention to detail. • Full UK driving licence and own transport are essential. • Excellent, checkable references. This is a rare opportunity to join a welcoming private household where the gardens are truly appreciated and valued. The successful candidate will enjoy a stable, long-term position on a beautiful estate where they can take real ownership of the gardens and work closely with the principals to ensure the grounds continue to flourish year after year.