Deputy Head Gardener

Glyndebourne has a team of six gardeners, an apprentice and a small group of volunteers.

Across 20 acres are herbaceous borders, a rose garden, exotic garden, vegetable and cut-flower garden, orchards, meadow and lakes. The gardens are maintained to the highest horticultural standards as a family garden, a workplace setting for Glyndebourne staff & company and as a welcoming space for audience members during the Glyndebourne Festival.

Along with the rest of Glyndebourne, the garden team aspires towards a nature-first ethos, are actively restoring ecosystems and are committed to increasing biodiversity.

Reporting to the Head Gardener, you will assist with the overall management of the Gardening team. You will support the team with hands-on gardening duties as well as managing the day to day gardening tasks. You will also work alongside the Garden Advisor to assist with project work.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• To assist with the general gardening duties (strimming, mowing, hedge cutting, weeding, planting, pruning and maintaining plant health)
• To assist the Head Gardener with managing the day to day running of the team (including volunteers).
• Complete a weekly garden staff meeting to organise and allocate work within the team for that week, to feed back from other meetings (Senior Managers Forum, front of house, etc.) and to give staff a chance to feedback on any suggestions or ideas they have.
• Complete a weekly garden walk around to assess and distribute any pressing work
• Develop and ensure delivery of a short and long term propagation, planting and general maintenance work programme.
• To liaise with and respond to other teams across Glyndebourne, with any adhoc requests.
• To support the Gardening team with any additional training
• To complete tours of the garden for small groups of staff or audience members
• To attend the Health and Safety meetings as directed by the Head Gardener and to deputise for him when necessary at other interdepartmental meetings and with outside agencies
• To make sure the gardening team works within the current health and safety risk assessment
• To complete the cleaning and maintenance of garden machinery and equipment
• Perform other reasonable job-related or ad-hoc duties as assigned by the Head Gardener

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience undertaking general gardening duties including strimming, mowing, hedge cutting, weeding, planting, pruning and maintaining plant health.
• Good knowledge of plants and propagation
• Previous experience driving a compact tractor and ride on mower
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills'.
• An interest in plants and a good eye for detail Full driving license

Desirable

• Knowledge of machinery maintenance
• Previous experience of using a cherry picker
• Knowledge of IT

Salary, Hours and Benefits

The contractual hours of work are 40 per week, 7:00 - 15:30 with half an hour lunch, Monday- Friday. You will also be required to work weekends on a rota basis, for which time off in lieu will be given.

We can offer a salary of c.£32,000 per annum.

We offer 33 days (6.6 weeks) holiday inclusive of bank holidays, per annum.

We can offer a beautiful working environment, and the chance to see world-class opera. 

We also offer:

• Free Pilates and Zumba classes, once a week
• Corporate Gym memberships
• An onsite Physiotherapist
• Subsidised electric car charging
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Subsidised dining at our onsite restaurants
• Free tea and coffee
• Discount at the Glyndebourne shop
• Free on-site parking
• Discount at various highstreet retailers through the Glyndebourne benefits hub

How to Apply

Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for vacancies, including ethnically diverse and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Please apply by clicking ‘Apply Now;’ to submit your application. Candidates must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 19 April 2026. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies. If relevant to you, please inform us of this in your covering letter. If you have any questions in relation to this please contact a member of the HR team at recruitment@glyndebourne.com.

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