Head of Horticulture

Location

Central London:

• Winfield House, Regent’s Park
• The Embassy of the United States of America, Nine Elms
• Additional United States Government Sites (as needed)

Salary
£70,000-£95,228 gross salary per annum commensurate with prior experience

• Bi-weekly salary payments
• Merit Based Compensation (Performance Related Pay awards)
• Private Medical Insurance and Life Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Annual and Sick Leave
• UK and U.S. paid public holidays
• Season Ticket Loan (Transportation)
• Training opportunities & personal development
• Restaurant facility (on-site at Embassy)
• Gym (on-site at Embassy)

The Embassy of the United States of America is seeking an experienced Head of Horticulture to oversee, maintain, and support at various government properties across the Central London area. This full-time role will be responsible for the care and maintenance of a broad range of trees, shrubs, bulbs, annuals, herbaceous plants, fruit crops, and vegetables across a variety of gardens and throughout all seasons.

Candidates should have experience that reflects the breadth and diversity of this work.

• Advanced proficiency in horticultural craft skills, with the ability to operate and demonstrate the use of horticultural machinery.
• Advanced knowledge and proven competency in the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of horticultural pests and diseases.
• Proven expertise in floral design and arrangement, with the ability to create and execute floral displays to an exceptional standard.
• A strong creative sensibility and exceptional attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and professionally with a broad range of individuals, including VIPs, senior management, colleagues, and members of the public.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities, with the ability to effectively lead, develop, and motivate horticultural teams of seven or more gardeners.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in the design, planning, and management of large-scale gardens and estates, ideally exceeding 15 acres.
• A collaborative and highly responsive approach, with the ability to work within a clearly defined creative vision, take direction with professionalism, and execute that vision with precision, consistency, and exceptional attention to detail.

The successful candidate will serve as the U.S. Government’s principal horticultural expert and authority in London. As such, exceptional horticultural expertise, professional judgement, and relevant experience are fundamental to the success of this role. The position is responsible for maintaining, advancing, and setting the highest horticultural standards across culturally and historically significant U.S. Government properties, including Winfield House, the Ambassador’s Residence and home to the second-largest private garden in central London.

Beyond Winfield House, the role will also oversee the care and maintenance of the gardens and landscaped grounds of the U.S. Embassy compound. The 3.5-acre exterior landscape includes extensive aquatic planting and vegetation associated with a 1.5-million-gallon lake, complemented by six principal interior garden spaces. The role will also provide horticultural oversight and support to additional U.S. Government-owned properties across London, as required.

The key responsibilities of this role are outlined below. All duties are expected to be carried out with the highest degree of professionalism, horticultural excellence, attention to detail, and service, reflecting the significance and representational nature of the properties under the role’s stewardship.

• Lead, manage, and mentor…