Head Gardener

Head Gardener - Private Estate
Channel Islands - Accommodation Included
Permanent
Salary - £50,000 to £60,000 DOE

Service Care Solutions are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a prestigious private family estate in the Channel Islands for an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to take responsibility for the management, development, and maintenance of exceptional private grounds.
This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished horticultural professional to join a distinguished estate where excellence, discretion, and attention to detail are highly valued. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the estate's gardens while leading a small gardening team and working closely with the principals and household staff.
A well-presented two-bedroom cottage is included as part of the package for those requiring accommodation.

The Role
As Head Gardener, you will be responsible for the overall care and development of extensive private gardens and landscaped grounds, ensuring the estate is presented to the highest possible standard throughout the year.
This is a hands-on position requiring exceptional horticultural knowledge, strong leadership skills, and a genuine passion for creating and maintaining beautiful gardens.
You will work closely with the family regarding garden aesthetics, planting schemes, colours, and design concepts, as well as liaising with house staff regarding flowers, plants, and produce required for the main residence.

Key Responsibilities

• Full maintenance and ongoing development of extensive private gardens and grounds.
• Seasonal planting, pruning, propagation, and soil management.
• Care and maintenance of ornamental gardens, lawns, borders, hedging, trees, shrubs, kitchen gardens, greenhouses, and specialist planting schemes.
• Planning and implementing planting programmes to ensure year-round colour and presentation.
• Managing irrigation systems, fertilisation programmes, composting, and sustainable gardening practices.
• Monitoring plant health and implementing treatments for pests and diseases where required.
• Operating and maintaining horticultural machinery, tools, and estate equipment.
• Leading, supervising, and developing a team of two gardeners.
• Managing contractors and external specialists when required.
• Assisting with landscaping projects and estate improvement plans.
• Maintaining complete discretion and confidentiality at all times.

• Extensive horticultural experience gained within private estates, country houses, luxury residences, or high-end gardens.
• Strong practical gardening and estate management experience.
• Exceptional plant knowledge across a broad range of species.
• Experience maintaining both formal and informal gardens.
• The ability to independently manage large-scale gardens to an exceptional standard.
• Strong organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to work.
• High levels of professionalism, trustworthiness, and discretion.
• A full UK driving licence (preferred).

• RHS qualifications or recognised horticultural training.
• Experience within heritage, formal, or show-standard gardens.
• Knowledge of sustainable and organic gardening practices.
• Experience operating ride-on mowers and estate machinery.
• Previous experience working within UHNW private households or estates.
• PA1/PA6 spraying certificates.

• Competitive salary dependent on experience.
• Permanent, full-time position.
• Accommodation provided – well-presented two-bedroom cottage.
• Long-term career opportunity within a prestigious private estate.
• Supportive and respectful working environment.
• Opportunity to lead and develop exceptional gardens and grounds.