Head Gardener
About this role
Head Gardener (Full-Time) — Richmond Villages Aston
Position: Head Gardener
Location: Richmond Villages Aston, Richmond Drive, Off Maple Drive, DE72 2EA
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time (40 hours per week across 5 days, including alternative weekends)
Salary: £32,500 per annum + Excellent Benefits
About Us
As a supportive bridge staffing agency, we are proud to connect talented horticultural and grounds maintenance professionals with luxury retirement communities. We are currently recruiting on behalf of Richmond Villages Aston—a premier luxury retirement village dedicated to delivering personalized care, promoting independence, and maintaining beautiful, safe outdoor spaces that enrich residents' daily lives.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to lead our grounds team and cultivate vibrant, therapeutic outdoor spaces. In this role, your expertise will directly enhance the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of our residents by providing peaceful, accessible, and stunning natural environments.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and manage a team of gardeners, overseeing the ongoing maintenance of all green areas and grounds within the village.
Plan gardening schedules, coordinate site maintenance (grass cutting, shrub bed care, weed control, litter-picking, and leaf clearance), and oversee watering systems.
Advise management on improvement projects and collaborate closely with the Head of Maintenance and external contractors.
Attend monthly meetings with the residents' gardening committee and work closely with their Chairman.
Support general maintenance operatives during the quieter winter months.
Key Requirements & Qualifications
Friendly, approachable, and deeply passionate about horticulture and landscape management.
Proven experience in landscaping, grounds maintenance, team management, budgetary control, and project planning (ideally 3 to 4 years of relevant experience).
Arborist or tree surgeon experience is highly desirable.
Equipped with general maintenance skills and a willingness to assist across winter operations.
Excellent communication skills with a positive, community-focused attitude.
Exceptional Benefits Package
Working through our staffing partnership at Richmond Villages Aston unlocks an incredible array of wellbeing rewards and financial perks:
Pay & Hours: Competitive salary of £32,500 per annum on a 40-hour full-time schedule.
Health & Wellbeing: 24/7 My Healthcare access (remote GP, physiotherapy, and mental health support), a ~£350 annual healthcare product allowance, and a specialized Menopause Plan.
Workplace Perks: Free meal with every shift, 28 days holiday, and a frontline sick pay scheme.
Financial Flexibility & Support: Wagestream (early access to up to 40% of earned wages instantly), interest-free annual travel loans, and competitive company pension plans.