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Page 2 of 110
York (On-site)
Up to £42114 per annum
Permanent
Job description

The Head Gardener role offers a unique opportunity to work in a historic and peaceful environment. You will be part of a dedicated team, working closely with colleagues to create and maintain the Palace's beautiful gardens. This role provides a chance to showcase your gardening expertise and leadership skills in a supportive and flexible work setting.

The Head Gardener has overall responsibility for the presentation, management, maintenance, upkeep and agreed development of Bishopthorpe Palace Gardens and line management of the garden staff engaged as employees and volunteers.

This post gives an excellent opportunity to work in a small, friendly, environment, in unusual and pleasant surroundings. Colleagues at Bishopthorpe Palace work as a small and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods with flexibility and good humour. The person appointed will relate directly to the Archbishop, Chief of Staff, Palace and Events Manager and Palace Warden. Working closely with the Assistant Gardener, casual staff and volunteers working in the grounds.

MAIN DUTIES

Responsible for the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, ensuring that the appearance of the entire garden site is kept to the best standard at all times including:

  • Planning and balance of year-round needs of garden/estate.
  • Designing the winter and summer annual bedding and arranging the
    purchase and cultivation of the plants.
  • Maintaining paths, perimeter and riverbank vegetation
  • Hands-on weeding, pruning, dead-heading, plant division and replanting
    where necessary throughout the grounds.
  • Directing and assisting in the care, cultivation and maintenance of all
    plants, seasonal planting, borders, shrubs, trees, lawns and ponds.
  • Management of wildlife in the grounds.
  • Management of the pond.
  • Planting of seeds and bulbs and caring for them during the winter.
  • Ensure the safety of paths and the grounds during the winter, including
    clearing snow and salting paths
  • Hands-on working with the garden team to achieve autumn leaf clearance
    and appropriate disposal.
  • Hands-on working with the garden team to ensure all lawns and hedges
    are kept trimmed to the required standard.
  • Irrigating all garden pots/planters and ornamental areas, including lawns,
    to ensure good growing conditions.
  • Propagation of garden plant material for use in the garden and plant sales at garden events.
  • Monitoring and control of weeds and algae in gravel paths, paving, ponds and borders and taking appropriate action.

Responsible for the management of the Palace woodland including:

  • the use of chainsaws to fell and crosscut timber.
  • monitoring existing trees and re-planting when necessary to ensure the continuation of a safe and healthy woodland.

Develop and implement a garden risk management control plan which includes, but is not limited to, the inspection and periodic pruning of trees

Responsible for the purchase, storage, handling and application of pesticides and weed killers used throughout the Palace grounds adhering to current Health and Safety legislation.

Ensuring the garden bothy, garden tool and machinery sheds, potting shed and greenhouse are all kept in a tidy, safe and well-presented manner

Manage the garden budget in conjunction with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager including:

  • Production of an annual budget for expenditure relating to the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace.
  • Submitting requests and invoices for expenditure within the agreed budget for Bishopthorpe Palace garden.
  • Agreeing expenditure items with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager in advance.
  • Preparation of a schedule of maintenance and replacement for all machinery and tools including annual servicing.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES

  • Attendance at Bishopthorpe Palace H&S meetings.
  • Ensure all garden works are in full compliance with Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
  • Ensure all chain saw and garden chemical licences remain current and comply with Health & Safety legislation.
  • In consultation with the Palace & Events Manager and Palace Warden ensuring the safety of garden users by regular checks on trees, access areas, steps and paths and reporting or repairing any hazards.
  • Responsible for monitoring all personal protection equipment used in the department to ensure expiry dates for critical safety equipment are adhered here.
  • Responsible for maintenance of machinery and tools, including annual servicing.

LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Responsible for the line management of the Assistant Gardener.
  • Responsible for the line management of casual and volunteer garden staff.
  • Overseeing, directing and training garden staff when they are working in the garden.
  • Assist the Palace manager with the sourcing, management and supervision of contractors working within the Palace grounds and woodland.
  • Assist with the interviewing and appointment of future garden staff.

OTHER DUTIES

  • Attendance of regular Bishopthorpe Palace Operation meetings to update on site work by other departments.
  • Attendance of management training courses and in-house training and briefing courses when requested.
  • Lead on internal and external communications for the Gardening team, including attending office meetings, including the huddle.
  • Liaising with the wider Bishopthorpe Palace Estates team to enable maintenance and restoration work via garden areas and agreeing making-good costs for the garden.
  • Liaising with the Hospitality team to enable smooth running of their events in both the Palace building and garden
  • Dealing with garden enquiries and giving guided tours of the garden.
  • Setting up garden open days and attending all garden events at Bishopthorpe Palace as requested by the Palace and Events Manager, to help with stewarding, event presentation and security.
  • Helping with the security of the Palace when required, including:
    • Dealing with alarms - subject to their home location
    • Locking external gates
    • Making the Palace and grounds secure.
    • To help with various duties around the Palace as agreed with the Palace and Events Manager.

Essential

  • Experience in ground maintenance and gardening of a large garden
  • Some experience of use and maintenance of lawn mowers, etc
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
  • Ability to forward plan and manage orders of equipment and plants as necessary
  • Experience in managing staff, including delegation of duties
  • Ability to motivate, develop and praise the garden team and be a good people manager
  • Able to perform hands-on routine responsibilities whilst maintaining attention to detail
  • An enthusiastic and committed gardener
  • Desire to maintain the existing garden as well as provide development ideas
  • Punctual and reliable
  • Ambassadorial skills to promote and embrace the garden and its many uses
  • Willingness to undertake any training to further skills for the job
  • Good communication skills, including delegation, negotiation and diplomatic skills
  • An enthusiastic and committed gardener with a desire to promote and develop the garden and its many uses
  • Excellent plant knowledge
  • Experience with specific and testing growing conditions

Desirable

  • City and Guilds qualification in horticulture or gardening
  • Experience of maintaining a large garden or estate and use of garden machinery
  • Qualified First Aider, although training can be arranged
  • Qualified in the use of chainsaws, although training can be arranged
  • Able to work to deadlines and prioritise workload
  • Able to organise and take initiative
  • Experience in managing rewilding natural spaces
  • Hard working, confident gardener
  • Hold a full driving licence
  • Plant and pest/disease identification
  • Some knowledge of the structure of the Church of England, including the Archbishop's ministry
  • Qualified in the handling and application of pesticides and weedkillers
  • A basic working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and the internet

Closing date for application is 21 April 2026 at midnight

Organisation
Church of England View profile Organisation type Registered Charity Company size 101 - 500

The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.

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Posted on: 24 March 2026
Closing date: 21 April 2026 at 14:36
Job ref: 91-
Tags: Christian