Head Gardener

Job Title: Head Gardener

Location: National Spinal Injuries Centre, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow

Salary: £38,470

Contract: Permanent. Full time

Closing Date: 8th November 2026 at midnight

Purpose

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Head Gardener to join our team in Scotland where you will nurture and develop one of the region’s most exciting and ambitious hospital gardens.

Horatio’s Garden is a nationwide charity improving the lives of people with spinal injuries by creating and expertly staffing beautiful gardens.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for managing and caring for the garden and supporting the patients who use it. Working alongside the Patient Experience Manger you will ensure the garden runs smoothly as a thriving, welcoming space which meets the needs of people with spinal injuries.

The garden has been beautifully designed and includes a water feature, a woodland area and a separate courtyard with a garden room and pods to give patients a warm sheltered place to enjoy the garden in all weather. There is a glasshouse and raised beds for growing edible and ornamental plants with patients, along with a dedicated office space.

You will join a team of six other dedicated Head Gardeners across the charity’s existing projects. In the Glasgow garden you will have joint leadership with the Patient Experience Manager. This will require you to have excellent communication and people management skills as you work within the framework of the Charity’s ethos and values. You will have line management responsibility for the part-time Garden Coordinator, and you will manage a team of volunteers to nurture the beautiful space for people with spinal injuries and their visitors.

As part of leading the team you will develop and maintain relationships with senior staff, clinical and non-clinical NHS staff, corporate sponsors, funders and colleagues in the Fundraising and Communications teams, and the other garden teams nationally. You will be managed by the Director of Gardens, with a dotted line to the Director of Patient Experience.

With support from the Patient Experience Manager, the wider team and in line with the Charity’s strategy you will develop an experience for patients that is patient led and brings the garden to life for them in a way that contrasts with their experience on the spinal unit. It is important that all needs are considered and activities are inclusive. You will lead on the project to put doors into the ward to improve patient access to the woodland garden which will require effective project management skills and communication with a number of stakeholders.

You will lead on key garden events in the calendar for Scotland such as the NGS day and Garden Tours for fundraising purposes.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for a confident, experienced gardener with an interest in gardens and wellbeing, and a passion for people as well as plants. You will need to be adaptable and friendly, and confident working with a wide range of people including people with spinal injuries and their families, NHS staff, volunteers and many different teams within the charity.

Horticulture

· Maintain high horticultural standards at all times to keep the garden looking it’s best all year round

· Work to the garden maintenance plan, agreed with the designer, to develop and implement seasonal growing plans to ensure all year-round colour

· Be a driving force in eco-conscious gardening, water management, and biodiversity initiatives

· Run a varied programme of gardening sessions both individually and in groups for people with spinal injuries

People with spinal injuries

· Working closely with the Patient Experience Manager to develop relationships with patients and families to ensure the best experience for them in the garden at every stage of their stay

· Maintain a consistent garden activities programme appropriate for the current patient group, ensuring everything is patient led and an alternative to the hospital environment.

· Lead on developing a gardening role for patients who are on delayed discharge and interested in pursuing their interest/skills

· Work with the Impact Assistant and wider team to monitor the impact of the garden

· Lead on the garden doors project for patients to have easier access into the woodland garden

NHS staff

· Develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with NHS clinical teams, estates and voluntary services

Volunteers

· Recruitment and training of new volunteers to support with the gardening

· Manage the team of garden volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the garden and all processes are adhered to

Fundraising and Communications

· Work with Fundraising Managers and volunteers to develop opportunities to generate income in the garden through friends, corporate friends and third-party fundraising

· Support corporate sponsor events and fundraising opportunities and lead when it is gardening related

· Support with promotion on all local social media accounts and provide regular updates for content

· Represent the garden and charity at key events

· Lead all gardening related events

· Interviews with press/media as required

Administrative

· Ensure all administrative tasks associated with the role are monitored, completed and maintained, with assistance from the Garden Coordinator

· Assist with ensuring the garden rooms are kept clean and tidy at all times

· Manage the local garden budget

· Regular monthly reporting of gardening, maintenance and patient activities

Health & Safety

· Ensure the timely maintenance of all buildings, fixtures and fittings in the garden

· Organise and supervise any maintenance contractors

· Maintain all tools and equipment in safe working order

· Ensure all work in the garden is completed in a safe manner

Safeguarding

· Comply with all safeguarding policies and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead immediately

· This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check

It should be noted that the list above is intended to give an overall view of the position and should be taken as guidance only.

As a Charity we are committed to creating and promoting a culture that protects and preserves the welfare of the vulnerable people in our care. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining and evaluating information from and about candidates including criminal record checks, to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work for our Charity.

APPLICATION

Please write a one page covering letter, explaining why you would be suited to this role and send this along with your CV to [email protected]

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of society.

NOTE: DBS, medical and reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.

Pay: £38,470.00 per year

Work Location: In person