Head Gardener

The College wishes to maximise the experience of residents, employees, and the many visitors to the College through a high standard of gardening. We aspire to use sustainable gardening techniques and focus on biodiversity where possible. This job presents an excellent opportunity for a Head Gardener who wishes to join in and advance those objectives.

The Head Gardener leads and works directly with the College Gardener, who is part-time, organising their work and developing their skills. The Head Gardener is also responsible for maintaining the highest standards of health and safety in the department. The Head Gardener works in consultation with and is ex officio a member of the General Estates Committee which meets each term.

Our sites:

• Main Site, Trumpington Street (the Island Site)
• St Chads, Grange Road (second and fourth year accommodation)
• South Green Lodge and Grantchester Meadows, South Green Road areas (fourth year and post-graduate accommodation)
• Russell Street (post graduate accommodation)
• Barton Road (post graduate accommodation)
• Coleridge Road (post graduate accommodation)
• The Boathouse
• The Sports Fields – supporting management of trees and hedges as required. We do not envisage any significant increase in our sites, though from time to time there could be small changes, either in number or location.

This post will suit someone who is able to:

• Ensure Main Site Gardens are maintained, and where possible improved to a standard comparable to that of other ancient Cambridge Colleges.
• Propose planned enhancements to the gardens to the General Estates Committee.
• Project manage enhancements to the gardens and operational estate that have been approved by the General Estates Committee, utilising the College Gardens team and external contractors as appropriate.
• Lead or work with project teams where landscape or garden works are required.
• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of plants, planting and cultivation of shrubs and flowering plants and hedges.
• Demonstrate a wide experience of operating and maintaining garden machinery.
• Communicate with a wide range of people within the St Catharine’s community.

A full copy of the job description can be found here. 

Employment arrangements

• This is a permanent appointment (subject to a 6 month probation period).
• Competitive salary range of FTE £37k-£40k pa depending on skills and experience.
• Full time hours of work are 37.5 per week.
• Please visit the 'Join our Team' page for details on our staff benefits.

Application process
Please submit a completed the College's application form and email it along with a covering letter, outlining your suitability for the position, a copy of your CV and the Equality and Diversity monitoring form to: recruitment@caths.cam.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 9am Monday 3 March 2025. Interviews are expected to be held the following week.