Team Leader – Formal and Walled Gardens

Grade 2* listed Haigh Hall and its woodland park is a much loved local Wigan attraction with
over half a million visitors annually. The 300 acre estate is undergoing major renovation,
transforming it into a cultural, gastronomic, and horticultural attraction of regional and
national importance. The project has received significant council capital investment as well as
funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Government’s Levelling Up fund. Haigh
is grounded in the local community and their participation is integral to the process and
success of this endeavour. Haigh not only has enormous potential as a northwest horticultural
destination, but also as inspiration for sustainable and inclusive heritage regeneration.

The Formal & Walled Gardens Team Leader will play a central role in bringing this vision to
life. Working with the Head of Horticulture, the TL will establish and manage a team of
horticulturists, volunteers and apprentices whilst also overseeing the rejuvenation of the
walled gardens and further development of the formal gardens at Haigh Hall.

Mandatory statement

The Council is committed to complying with the European General Data Protection Regulations
(GDPR) and meeting the requirements of the Information Commissioner’s office (regulating data
protection compliance in the UK). It is your responsibility to ensure that the work you
undertake is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations.

In this job you will

In the next 12 months, you will:

• Work in close collaboration with the Head of Horticulture, Creative Directors and Wigan
  Council on the rejuvenation of the Haigh estate
• Together with the Head of Horticulture, help design and implement the redevelopment of the
  formal and walled gardens as part of the Haigh horticultural masterplan
• Input into the business plan for horticulture at Haigh
• Help establish and lead a highly skilled horticultural team of staff and volunteers

On an ongoing basis you will:

• Assist with short and long term planning and management of this redevelopment
• Plan and schedule seasonal maintenance to include lawns, herbaceous borders, trees and
  shrubs, productive gardens, meadows and planters
• Proactive in identifying areas that can be improved/redesigned or where maintenance
  practices can be streamlined
• Ensure that all work in the garden is carried out safely and complies with H&S
  legislation
• Assist in the establishment of a horticultural apprenticeship programme at Haigh in
  collaboration with local and regional further education providers
• Be an advocate and mentor for careers in horticulture and a desire to inspire all those who
  engage with Haigh
• Benefit the local community through the creation and management of spaces for recreation
  and wellbeing
• Be committed to inclusive, collaborative and ecologically conscious horticulture
• Ensure you operate within GDPR guidelines by regularly reviewing data held and destroying
  information in line with retention schedules

In this job you will need

You must be able to demonstrate the following essential requirements:

• An undergraduate degree/higher diploma in horticulture or closely related discipline
• Extensive experience as a professional horticulturist, preferably in a heritage garden open
  to the public
• Broad practical horticultural knowledge and experience – including drafting maintenance
  plans, allocating resources and rudimentary budgeting
• Some knowledge of productive horticulture – fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and herbs
• At least two year’s experience managing a team – including other horticulturists,
  volunteers and students
• Experience of working on horticultural redevelopment projects – elements of planning,
  design and implementation
• Knowledge of invasive plant species management and of plant health protocols
• Some teaching or mentoring experience
• A full UK driving licence with previous experience of drive rough terrain vehicles,
  tractors or similar
• Computer literacy in Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Hours: 37 per week