Head Gardener

Job Description

Lead. Inspire. Create. Protect.

Are you an experienced horticultural professional looking for a role where you can combine horticultural excellence with leadership, park management and community engagement?

The City of London Corporation is seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Head Gardener to join the team at Queen’s Park, one of North London’s most loved and historic parks. This is a unique opportunity to take a leading role in the stewardship of a vibrant public green space, helping shape its future while maintaining the high standards that visitors enjoy every day.

This is not a traditional Head Gardener position. It is a dynamic and varied leadership role where you will balance horticultural operations with wider park responsibilities, team management, visitor engagement, project delivery and site management.

Whether you’re leading seasonal planting schemes, developing apprentices, supporting community events, overseeing landscape improvements, or helping ensure the park remains safe and welcoming for visitors, you’ll play a key role in the success of Queen’s Park.

About Us

The City of London Corporation manages some of the country’s most iconic and cherished green spaces, including Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, West Ham Park and Queen’s Park.

Together, these award-winning landscapes provide vital opportunities for recreation, wellbeing, conservation and community engagement across London.

Queen’s Park has been at the heart of its community since 1887 and welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its ornamental gardens, woodland walks, sports facilities, children’s play areas, café and a wide range of visitor facilities.

It is a busy, thriving park that hosts a range of community events and activities, making it one of London’s most valued public spaces.

The Role

As Head Gardener, you will lead and manage the Gardening Team, including the gardener, apprentices and volunteers, ensuring Queen’s Park continues to be maintained and presented to the highest possible standards.

Working closely with the Senior Ranger, you’ll balance your time between:

· Leading horticultural maintenance and development across the park.

· Delivering seasonal planting schemes and landscape improvements.

· Managing and developing staff, apprentices and volunteers.

· Planning and delivering horticultural projects.

· Assisting with the day-to-day operation and management of the park.

· Supporting events, activities and community engagement.

· Working with contractors, user groups and stakeholders.

· Maintaining Green Flag Award standards and contributing to future improvements.

· Ensuring the park remains welcoming, safe and enjoyable for all visitors.

No two days are the same. One day you may be planning new planting displays and supervising practical works, while the next you could be supporting an outdoor event, liaising with community groups, overseeing contractors or helping deliver conservation objectives across the site.

The Ideal Candidate

You’ll be a motivated horticultural professional who enjoys working outdoors, leading people and making a visible difference to a valued public space.

You will have:

· NVQ Level 3 in Horticulture or equivalent experience.

· Strong practical horticultural knowledge and experience.

· Experience working within parks, gardens, open spaces or similar environments.

· Experience supervising staff, volunteers or contractors.

· Excellent communication and customer service skills.

· Experience operating horticultural machinery and equipment.

· A full UK driving licence.

· A positive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach.

· A commitment to delivering high standards and excellent visitor experiences.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to leave your mark on one of London’s most historic and well-loved parks.

You’ll have the chance to:

· Lead a skilled and dedicated team.

· Deliver meaningful horticultural and landscape projects.

· Develop your leadership and management experience.

· Work in a role that combines horticulture, public engagement and park operations.

· Help shape the future of a nationally recognised public green space.

· Be part of an organisation responsible for some of the UK’s most prestigious open spaces.

Benefits Include

· Salary of £44,150 - £48,979 per annum inclusive of allowances.

· 24 days annual leave plus public holidays, increasing with service.

· Local Government Pension Scheme.

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