Lead Horticulturist: Trees & Landscape Leadership

Horticulture Team Leader (Garden Landscapes)

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
£34-39.9k Full-Time Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Horticultural/Arboriculture Leader to join one of the world's most respected botanic institutions.

As Team Leader (Garden Landscapes), you will play a pivotal role in caring for and developing the Botanic Garden's historic and scientifically significant tree collection and surrounding landscapes. Reporting to the Head of Horticulture, you will lead a highly skilled and passionate team across trees, shrubs, machinery, and landscaped areas, helping to shape the long term future of one of the UK's most important living collections.

This is a rare chance to combine hands on horticulture, leadership, and long term landscape planning within a truly world class environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management of the Garden's major tree collection and surrounding landscapes
• Oversee tree safety, surveys, planning, and succession planting
• Line manage Senior Horticulturists, an Arborist, Technicians, and trainees
• Work closely with the Head of Horticulture on staff development, training needs, and planning
• Deliver five year horticultural and landscape development plans
• Manage budgets, projects, and specialist equipment
• Maintain high quality plant records and collection audits
• Support public engagement, training programmes, and research access

What We're Looking For

• Degree level qualification in horticulture or arboriculture (or equivalent experience)
• Strong knowledge of trees, shrubs, and wider horticulture
• Proven leadership experience in a professional horticultural environment
• Experience managing teams, projects, and plant collections
• Sound knowledge of tree safety management
• Experience managing garden landscapes, including hard landscaping
• Confident in the use and maintenance of a wide range of horticultural and arboriculture machinery
• Proficient with databases, Microsoft Office, and online systems
• Passion for horticulture and tree management
• Excellent communication, organisation, and people skills

What's on Offer

• £33,951 - £39,906 salary
• 36 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Outstanding pension and benefits package
• The chance to join a friendly, expert team in a truly special working environment
• Long term career development and ongoing professional training

We look forward to welcoming a dedicated horticulturist to our team to help shape the future of a globally significant botanic landscape.