Co-Head Gardener - 30 hours per week, permanent contract

We have a unique opportunity for a Co-Head Gardener at The Sharpham Trust.

This role is vital to the effective and smooth running of the gardens within the organisation. You will be responsible for the planning and management of the gardens at Sharpham House, ensuring they are well cared for.

Our garden team maintain a walled kitchen garden, ornamental borders, lawns, woodland and orchards using organic methods. You will also oversee our horticultural trainees who are here on 12-month placements, a weekly volunteering session as well as retreatants from our Coach House retreat centre in horticultural activities in this hands-on role.

About the role

We are looking for a well-organised and flexible person to join our garden team. We are a registered charity caring for the historic Grade I-listed Sharpham House and Estate on the banks of the River Dart near to Totnes. At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally sustainable world.  We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, public events, outdoor learning and the arts.

This is a varied role, within a small team, in an organisation which has seen significant growth in recent years and is committed in the pursuit of its charitable objectives. There can be no better environment to work in than the one offered at Sharpham.

About you

This is a role for someone who is well organised with excellent communication skills and the ability to work on his or her own initiative, as part of a small team. You will bring excellent management experience in horticulture, including growing fruit and vegetables in a relevant production setting, as well as ornamental gardening.

You will have excellent people skills with experience of managing staff, trainees, volunteers and be comfortable leading groups in a horticultural setting. You will have a strong interest in sustainable food growing and be passionate about developing the gardens. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, practical and willing to lead a hard-working team, as well as being able to manage multiple priorities and achieve high standards. Problem solving skills, flexibility and a sense of humour will be vital.

An interest in the Trust’s charitable work and a mindfulness practice would also be an advantage. Staff are able to access the Trust’s programme of mindfulness courses and retreats. 

For this role you will need a driving licence.

Job description and how to apply

Download and read through the job description (here as PDF, here as Word.doc)

To apply, download our application form (here as PDF, here as Word.doc) and return to [email protected]

Closing Date: Monday 30 September – 9am

Interviews: w/c 7-8 October