GARDENER

DEPARTMENT: GROUNDS

Situated in 42 acres of award-winning landscaped gardens and grounds adjacent to the River Thames in Fulham, The Hurlingham Club is recognised as one of the world’s finest private member clubs.

The gardens include a 2-acre lake, rose terrace, woodland, mature shrubberies, exotics border and herbaceous borders, all ensconced within a rich horticultural history including the influences of Lutyens and Jekyll. Since its opening in 1869, The Hurlingham Club’s croquet and tennis lawns, botanical gardens and stately Georgian Clubhouse have made it a sought-after destination for exclusive sporting and social activities.

The Club offers a truly unique and rewarding environment to work, blending a rich history with a progressive outlook. With over 20 specialised departments, each contributing distinct roles and functions you will have the opportunity to interact with vibrant, multi-faceted colleagues and members that share common interests and represent a wide range of backgrounds, professions and perspectives. The members actively contribute to the Club’s community, atmosphere, heritage and culture.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Grounds Team are part of the Estates Department and are made up of 26 professional and highly motivated individuals who pride themselves on the maintenance and upkeep of the prestigious grounds. The grounds of the Club include ten croquet lawns, thirty grass tennis courts, a cricket ground, a nine-hole golf course, two bowling greens and over a hectare of trees, flowers, shrubs and ornamental lawns. It is through the efforts of the Grounds team that the Club’s members are rewarded year on year with award winning sports surfaces and stunning season changing flowerbeds.

THE ROLE

As part of our gardens team, you will be presented with many opportunities for professional development as well as working closely with a team of horticulturalists and industry professionals on a wide range of estate gardening practices. Hedging, habitat and woodland management, planting, meadow management, pruning and water conservation are a few of the topics our gardeners cover, as well as an understanding of IPM controls and irrigation systems.

The successful applicant will be given their own area of responsibility to maintain and develop. They will be expected to work on their own, in small groups and with the whole team on specific projects. They will need to use their initiative to enhance the plants under their care and utilise their skills for the benefit of the gardens and team. With an area of responsibility, each gardener must demonstrate good time management skills in which they can balance the demands of their areas with the ongoing, seasonal team tasks they will be
involved in.

WORKING SCHEDULE

As Gardener you will work a 39-hour week, plus regular weekend overtime – one in three weekend mornings.

THE CANDIDATE

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is experienced with estate horticulture and who has a high level of professionalism and horticultural knowledge. A specialism with aquatics, roses, exotics or indoor plants is desirable but not essential. An RHS Level 2 or equivalent qualification is required as well as previous practical experience in the industry, however more practical experience would be an advantage.

Previous experience in tractor driving and operating small machinery, as well as a spraying certificate PA1/6 would also be beneficial to any applicant, but not essential.

We offer a substantial and varied schedule of training including but not limited to in-house workshops, webinars, practical machinery training, garden visits and horticultural placements.
All uniform and all-weather clothing is provided free, as well as a free onsite canteen and onsite parking, as part of a wider employee benefits package.

Candidates must embody our Club values; excellence, responsibility and courtesy, have the ability to work under pressure and be friendly, polite and diplomatic.

BENEFITS

Benefits include:

• 23 days of annual leave (rising to 28 days after 5 years' continuous service) plus Bank Holidays.

• Generous contributory pension.

• Life assurance, group income protection and an enhanced sick pay scheme.

• Opportunities for training, development and progression.

• Annual bonus scheme and annual performance pay review.

• Staff social events, free meals on duty and free onsite parking.

• Along with other benefits!

The Hurlingham Club is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.

Please note that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within four weeks then unfortunately you were not successful in your application on this occasion.