Head Gardener

Company Overview

Summerset Retirement Villages – You can help bring our villages to life! At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger – to bring the best of life to our residents.

Job Summary

We’re looking for a dedicated Head Gardener to bring life and colour to our St Johns village team . You’ll report to the Property Manager and work alongside our Gardener to maintain and enhance our outdoor spaces. This is a hands‑on, varied role that calls for strong organisational skills, a good level of physical fitness, and a genuine love for people and plants. You’ll take pride in creating beautiful environments and enjoy being part of a close‑knit community.

Key Duties

• Ensure well maintained, beautiful gardens and landscapes in line with the Gardening and Landscaping Plan and Specifications for the village. Manage plants, gardens and lawns including rooftop spaces and compact courtyards to the best horticultural practice standards.
• Ensure the buildings, grounds and amenities are kept clean and tidy for customers, families and staff to enjoy, facilitating removal of rubbish in line with local authority requirements.
• Maintain a professional, friendly and welcoming appearance and manner for all customers, families and other visitors.
• Supervise garden staff and contractors. Lead the team by delegating tasks and ensuring high standards of horticultural care. Train and mentor staff in plant care.
• Monitor and maintain accurate records of all gardens that residents are entitled to as a part of their home, maintaining them where agreed between the customer and the Village, or operating alternative arrangements (e.g. returning garden to lawn) where the customer no longer wishes their garden to be maintained.
• Work with the Property Manager and Village Manager to plan, monitor, manage and report on work plans and budgets, ensuring appropriate financial processes are followed. Schedule and manage work plans to ensure coverage and efficiency across the village.
• Seasonal and long‑term planning to maintain and evolve the village’s green spaces. Maintain irrigation systems, tools and garden infrastructure to the best practice standards.

Work Hours

This is a permanent full‑time role, working Monday to Friday, 7 : 00am to 3 : 30pm (with an expected start date of early January 2026).

Qualifications

You’ll bring experience in gardening or landscaping and a relevant National certificate in horticulture (amenity) Level 4 or above and current Growsafe (standard) certificate. Though what truly sets you apart is your passion for creating beautiful outdoor spaces and your warm, respectful approach to people from all walks of life.

Additional Information

Summerset's known for its excellent benefits and strong sense of values around care, teamwork and drive for excellence. With some of the best benefits in the sector, some of these include :

Equal Opportunity

At Summerset, we believe diversity strengthens our team and enriches the care we provide. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life—including those with transferable skills from other industries. You may not tick all the requirements, and that’s okay; we value what you bring to the table and look at the whole individual. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. Equal opportunity is at the heart of how we recruit, and we encourage you to bring your unique perspective and passion to our team.

Next Steps

Applications for this role will close on Thursday 27th November. This role may close early due to an increased number of applications – apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!

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