Experienced Gardener

About The Role

This exciting permanent role is based at The Odney Club in Cookham, our beautiful John Lewis and Partners hotel, set in 95 acres by the River Thames in Cookham, Berkshire which offers both character and charm. It involves working as part of the Grounds and Gardens team, developing the estate’s grounds, gardens, sports areas, lakes, play areas and woodland, delivering high standards throughout the grounds and gardens and enhancing the reputation of the hotel by providing an excellent guest experience.

You will need to have proven competency in horticulture and an understanding of the operation and maintenance of grounds and garden machinery.

Salary up to £31,000 depending on experience

This position is a Permanent contract.

Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, 1 in 6 Weekends

This role is based at Odney Club, Cookham.

• Assist with the improvement and maintenance of the Gardens, ensuring they are presented at the highest standards, which retain the gardens in their pre‑eminent position within the Partnership and the horticultural world at large
• Efficiently undertake all horticultural and maintenance tasks as requested, ensuring high levels of craftsmanship
• Maintain and use a wide range of tools and powered equipment and complete any records required
• Ensure and promote the health and safety of yourself and others in accordance with Partnership requirements
• Establish good working relationships with other Partners and Managers
• Welcome and communicate with visitors to the Gardens, which can include giving talks, selling tickets and answering questions
• Maintain current knowledge of horticultural practices and environmental considerations and apply where appropriate
• Provide Department out of hours cover on a rota basis
• Support and take part in Estate events as required, which will involve occasional extra hours at weekends and evenings

• Relevant experience of working within a Grounds and/or Gardens Team
• Experience of propagation and working in a production garden
• Able to work with minimal supervision
• Minimum of 2 years professional gardening experience with a good understanding of plants, pests and soil types
• Full Driving Licence
• Minimum NVQ Level 2 Amenity Horticulture or equivalent professional experience
• Good communication skills

• Relevant experience of working within a Grounds and/or Gardens Team
• Certificate in Chainsaw use NPTC CS30 / CS31
• Certificate in Safe use of Pesticides NPTC PA1, PA2, PA6
• Experience of working in a commercial greenhouses
• Qualification in Garden design
• CPCS 360 Excavator A58
• Hard landscaping experience
• PA1 & PA6a Pesticide certificate
• NPTC CS30/31 Chainsaw certificate

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.
We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail, continuously innovating, adapting and diversifying. Never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose.
As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.
We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.
As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.
We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.
We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.