Job title: Head Gardener Location: Camden Area Salary: Dependent on skills and experience Main purpose of job: You will be an experienced Horticulturist with a “can-do” attitude and have strong leadership skills to maximise performance. Under direction from the Contract Manager, take responsibility for all aspects of grounds maintenance across sites within your area of responsibility, deliver contract objectives, people management, safety compliance and client relationships Principal accountabilities Contract performance & delivery Responsible for the day to day grounds maintenance activity at designated housing estates and parks. Prepare, implement and monitor weekly, monthly and annual maintenance programmes to ensure required standards are maintained To utilise best, most economic and effective work practices Proactively manage all areas of delivery, in order to solve problems before client raises them as an issue Manage the work planning process to ensure optimum utilisation of human resources To act as the day to day contact for client officers To support the operational management team Relationships Establish and maintain excellent client relationships Attend and act as an ambassador at client meetings or related events Initiate client communication to foster open lines of communication To be proactive and well prepared at Progress Meetings with clients To be approachable and responsive to the needs of your direct reports and minimise conflict To communicate effectively and confidently both on a one-to-one basis and in groups To develop teamwork by effective communication and regular meetings Customer/client care To create a positive impression with clients, presenting a professional and proactive attitude To build strong, long term relationships with customers To understand the benefits of the Company’s Complaints and Customer Contact procedures General Communicate with colleagues across the Group in order to share best practice and pool knowledge and resources Constantly seek to improve and change to deliver best value Complete all maintenance activities to contract specification and to desired quality standard. Keep all machinery and equipment breakdowns to a minimum by ensuring all company policies are followed regarding defect reporting and service scheduling Keep accidents and other H&S incidents to a minimum by implementing good working practices, training and adhering to company H&S policies This role may include on-call commitment (1 week in 4) sometime in the future Quality, Health & Safety To understand the law relating to Health & Safety and implement the Company’s Health & Safety Policy To understand and implement risk assessments and COSSH To understand machinery basic maintenance requirements and have systems in place to ensure maintenance takes place To ensure that all members of staff behave in a professional manner: wear the correct corporate clothing, keep vehicles and machinery clean and well maintained and that sites are kept clean and tidy at all times. Financial management To understand and operate within the company’s financial procedures Manage according to budget Assist the Contract Manager with the completion of performance reportsKnowledge & Skills An experienced Horticulturist/Groundsman with a proven work experience in a similar role PA1, PA2 and PA6 spraying certificates (training given) Full Driving Licence NVQ HorticulturePersonal qualities Competent Able to work to consistently high standards Professional attitude High level of enthusiasm and motivation Decisive An approachable personality Strong relationship building skills with clients and users