What you'll be doing
Thinking long term
As a member of the Property Leadership Team, you will work closely with the General Manager, Head of Gardens and Parks and national specialists to plan to enhance the heritage, nature and people benefits of Mount Stewart across the gardens and wider demesne. There will be a strong focus on the team and understanding Mount Stewart’s priorities and future potential alongside the wider strategic ambitions of National Trust. You will ensure that the team, skills and processes are in place ready to contribute to a future long‑term plan for Mount Stewart.
This 12‑month period will be a time to review, understand and rationalise the garden settings and plant collections, focusing resources where they are most needed. This will include championing and delivering our Conservation Principles, adapting horticultural practices and working to our sustainability ambitions. Within the wider demesne, the priority will be to determine the next steps to build resilience in woodlands to meet challenging climate impacts, and to deliver agreed actions from the garden management plan, woodland management plans and property business plans.
You will support colleagues to identify longer‑term opportunities to progress and develop the garden’s future and to create engaging and relevant experiences for current, new and more diverse audiences. You’ll be part of a team to build long‑lasting relationships with emerging audiences and communities while safeguarding and promoting the plant collection and gardening heritage at Mount Stewart.
Leading teams
You will lead the garden and ranger team to develop working practices that reflect priorities across Mount Stewart and deliver the National Trust’s strategic ambitions and environmental principles.
On a day‑to‑day basis, working with the Assistant Head Gardener, the Area Ranger and their teams, you will provide support and leadership to a team of 11 staff, managing work programmes and ensuring compliance with environmental standards, health and safety and machinery compliance. Key to your role will be recognising the current and future skills needs, identifying CPD needs for yourself and your team, and leading regular team and one‑to‑one meetings as coach and mentor.
Visitor Experience
You will work in collaboration with other members of the Property Leadership Team, including the Property Curator and the Visitor Operations Manager and Visitor Experience Manager, to ensure we provide a cohesive and inspiring visitor experience. As a senior member of staff with shared duty management responsibilities, you’ll build positive working relationships across the entire site and support your team to do the same.
Who we're looking for
* Experience working collaboratively with specialist teams to deliver conservation principles, environmental horticulture practices and the management of living collections
* Experience contributing to historic and public landscape management reviews and planning within a team setting
* Strong communication and team leadership skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders
* A passion for gardens and gardening, with a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility
* Understanding of the changing needs, aesthetics and management challenges of 21st‑century gardens, including climate change
* Enthusiasm for developing a holistic approach that integrates garden and parkland management
* Ability to build effective relationships with internal colleagues, external partners and visitors
* Commitment to inclusive engagement, helping people and communities connect with stories, gardens and landscape
The package
* 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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
* 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
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