Head Landscape Operative (Gardener)

Salary details: £ - £

Head Gardener – Elvaston Castle Country Park

Grade 8 | Countryside Service | Derbyshire County Council

Lead the future of a nationally significant Registered Park & Gardens

This is a rare opportunity to take on the lead horticultural role at Elvaston Castle Country Park, a nationally important historic estate with stunning Victorian gardens, significant heritage features and a special place in the hearts of local communities.

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to lead the care, restoration and development of the park's Grade II listed gardens and grounds. This is a role where you'll directly influence how one of Derbyshire's most iconic destinations looks, feels and evolves over the coming years.

It is an exciting time to join Elvaston. As the estate enters a new chapter of investment, restoration and long-term planning, you'll play a key role in shaping its future while protecting the unique character and heritage that makes it so special.

About the role

As Head Gardener, you will lead the horticultural maintenance and enhancement of Elvaston's gardens and landscape, ensuring they continue to provide an exceptional experience for visitors while supporting biodiversity and conserving the site's historic significance.

You'll manage and inspire a dedicated gardening team, oversee contractors and volunteers, and work closely with colleagues, community partners and stakeholders who share a passion for Elvaston's future.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong horticultural expertise, practical problem-solving and the ability to turn ambitious plans into visible results on the ground.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead the care and development of an important historic landscape.
• Shape horticultural standards and restoration programmes.
• Develop and support a skilled gardening team.
• Work alongside volunteers, community groups and partners.
• Contribute to visitor engagement, events and interpretation.
• Help deliver environmental, heritage and wellbeing benefits for thousands of visitors every year.

About you

You will be an experienced horticultural professional with a proven ability to maintain and develop high-quality gardens, parks or landscapes.

You'll bring:

• Strong practical horticultural knowledge and experience.
• Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams.
• A commitment to high standards and attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and partners.
• A genuine passion for gardens, landscapes, heritage and nature.

Most importantly, you'll share our ambition to elevate Elvaston as one of the finest historic country parks in the region.

Provisional Interview Date: Week Commencing 17th August  2026 

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be subject to service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.