Head of Gardens & Parks

Summary

Salary range: £67,236 – £80,000

We are looking to recruit a Head of Gardens & Parks on a 2 year FTC

The gardens and parks in our care are some of the most iconic, and well-loved in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland. We also place particular emphasis in the development of new or restored
gardens and parks in urban settings, often in partnership. The National Trust takes great pride
in caring for these historic and living works of art to an appropriate standard to serve a
growing and broader audience, and to support the financial health of our charity.

The Head of Gardens & Parks will lead an organisation-wide initiative to make the most of
these remarkable places and their ability to provide significant public benefit, inspiration,
and delight. You’ll help us make a step-change in our ability to connect audiences with gardens
and parks, bringing our conservation and engagement activity together in dynamic new ways which
will resonate with 21st century audiences.

What it’s like to work here

We’ve got passionate people in all our teams, and we’ve got so much more we want to achieve. We
want everyone to feel welcome and enjoy access to our places, both retaining our large and
loyal current audience, and reach new audiences in ways that are meaningful and to them.

The role is based at the Head office at Heelis in Swindon, but we are open to conversations
about base location. We are also open to a mix of remote working and time in the office and the
role will require regular travel visiting our regional teams at gardens and parks in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.

You would have a small central team of direct reports but will work across the Trust and beyond
with gardens and parklands advisors based regionally as well as property teams and external
specialists. 

What you’ll be doing

No two of our gardens are the same, and your day-to-day role will reflect that.

You’ll lead senior level relationships with key partners and build upon the external networks
to ensure we are at the forefront of research and innovation, and engage with partners to
ensure that NT gardens play a strong role in helping properties to thrive and reach their
potential. As the Head of Profession for Gardens and Parks you will support a programme of CDP
across the Trust developing creative approaches to maintaining and growing horticultural
skills, working with others to help train and build the professional gardens community of the
future. You will be client for a national programme exploring feasibility for investment in the
development of 10-14 National Trust gardens to create new garden components and ‘destination’
gardens with the objective of delivering growth in visit numbers and membership, working with
our national and regional teams.

You’ll support the development of research into gardens and parks, particularly around
sustainability and climate resilience and the meanings and purpose of our places. You’ll draw
on audience insight and research to help inform new experiences for visitors. At a national
level, you will be part of a heritage focused team, but you’ll work closely with many others
from Visitor Experience to Membership and Support, from Commercial to Communications.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll have an impressive background working in horticulture and gardens management. You’ll be
a collaborative and pragmatic team player with a creative approach to how you can work with
teams to increase the public benefit of our gardens and parklands. You’ll have demonstrable
experience of successful fundraising, working with external partnerships and supporting public
programming to support audience engagement. You’ll have a commitment to long-term
sustainability and a good awareness of climate resilience and mitigations you’ll recognise how
to apply high presentation standards, care and maintenance, but not be afraid to support
innovation and drive trials of new approaches. Both a team player and a leader, you’ll not be
phased by scale, be able to build strong internal and external networks, and to work in, and
inspire, multi-disciplinary teams.

To be considered for the role, you will need to have: 

• Relevant professional qualification in horticulture or closely related discipline and/ or
  considerable practical experience
• A strong strategic vision about what could be achieved to increase the public benefit
  derived from gardens and parklands
• A track record in exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire
  others
• Experience of fundraising and working with external partners to achieve shared goals
• A record of creating and driving strategic approaches across an organisation
• Stakeholder and partner management with influencing and negotiating skills
• Experience and understanding of the application of conservation principles in heritage
  settings
• An understanding of the potential of research, including audience research.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to
create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people
reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and
value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our
teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out
more about the benefits we offer to support you.