Head Gardener

We're looking for a Head Gardener to lead a team of staff and volunteers and guide the care and future development of the gardens across the North Warwickshire Portfolio consisting of Baddesley Clinton, Charlecote Park, Packwood.

As part of the role you are expected to undertake Duty Manager responsibilities and you'll be working weekends and Bank holidays on a rota pattern.

Please provide a cover letter and CV when applying for this role.

What it's like to work here

The North Warwickshire Portfolio is a combination of 3 sites with historically different gardens, one being a listed Grade II garden, Packwood House. The portfolio has recently merged so we are in the midst of setting up new team dynamics and bringing in portfolio ways of working. You will be heading up a team of experienced, dedicated and creative gardeners. Your role will entail strategic and seasonal planning of the garden, and working hand in glove with the Ranger team for the wider landscape. You will manage a team across the 3 sites, have a vision and higher level view whilst maintaining visibility and hands on where feasible.

What you'll be doing

As our Head Gardener, you'll be managing a team of 8 staff and 50 volunteers. You'll also lead any projects to restore or rework areas of the garden, giving you the opportunity for hands on creativity and a dynamic approach to gardening.

You'll work with colleagues from other departments to make sure that people visiting can experience everything that makes this garden so special, including its stories, its challenges and the wildlife to be found within it.

Your priority will be to make sure that everyone feels welcome here. You'll demonstrate inclusive leadership and work with others to make the changes needed to improve access to the garden. You'll have a close working relationship with experts from the Trust's internal consultancy, as well as working with and learning from others beyond the Trust.

As a senior leader, you'll be expected to work some weekends and bank holidays on a rota.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• experienced in managing a varied/listed garden in all seasons
• able to draw on your excellent knowledge of plants and plant care
• comfortable talking to all kinds of people and sharing your knowledge and expertise
• used to managing operational risk and compliance requirements relevant to horticulture
• qualified to RHS level 3 or above (or the equivalent vocational experience)

The package

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

Packwood House, Lapworth, Solihull, B94 6AT

Closing Date

Closing Date: 5th April. Interviews 9th April 2026

How to apply

To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.

If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on or email us at .

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.