Hand Picked Hotels was founded in 2001 by owner and Chairman, Julia Hands MBE, and today still remains a family-owned group which has 21 unique luxury country houses and coastal retreats, each hand picked for their individuality. Architecturally distinctive and quintessentially British, every hotel boasts an extraordinary location from Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering breathtaking views from vast countryside to expansive beaches, to lush woodlands.
Dedicated to creating unique and enchanting stays, curated personalised service runs through the heart of every hotel. Whilst each hotel is individual, each property fulfils the company values of family, individuality, community and care, with a team commitment to aiming higher and delight their guests with magical experiences that offer a true escape from the every day.
Hand Picked Hotels are committed to protecting the environment for a sustainable future, and all of our hotels have received the ‘Green Tourism’ accreditation. A Recognition of our progress in reducing energy use and waste, supporting biodiversity, and sourcing responsibly from local and ethical partners.
As we continue to embark on our transformation journey at Hand Picked Hotel, we are currently seeking an experienced Regional Garden Manager to support with the ongoing transformation of our gardens within our hotels.This role will cover oversee 5 hotels located in the South and will involve weekly travel.
The Regional Gardens Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the horticultural standards, aesthetic vision, and operational efficiency of 5 gardens within Hand Picked Hotels, located in the South of the UK. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure that all landscapes under their jurisdiction are maintained to a premier standard while balancing environmental sustainability with budgetary requirements.
This role acts as the bridge between high-level organizational goals and on-the-ground execution. You will lead a diverse team of horticulturalists and contractors, fostering a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement. By harmonizing plant health, visitor experience, and resource management, the Regional Gardens Manager ensures that every site reflects the organization’s brand and commitment to natural beauty.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement long-term horticultural management plans for all sites within the region to ensure year-round visual appeal and plant health.
Recruit, train, and mentor Head Gardeners and their teams, conducting regular performance reviews and fostering professional development.
- Produce and oversee the regional horticultural budget, including the procurement of equipment, plants, and materials, while ensuring cost-effective operations.
- Conduct regular site audits to ensure maintenance tasks—such as pruning, turf management, and irrigation—meet established organizational standards.
- Implement "green" gardening practices, including integrated pest management (IPM), water conservation strategies, and the promotion of biodiversity.
- Lead large-scale landscaping projects, from designs and plant selection provided by the Design team to contractor supervision and final installation.
- Ensure all regional operations comply with health and safety regulations, maintaining up-to-date risk assessments for equipment use and chemical handling.
- Collaborate with site managers and community partners to coordinate garden events, educational programs, or volunteer initiatives. Ensure the management of the regional fleet of machinery and specialized tools, coordinating repairs and scheduling shared resources between locations.
About you:
- Experience overseeing end-to-end garden landscape construction or restoration, including contractor management and timeline adherence within a commercial luxury horticulture environment including knowledge of historical gardens.
- Proven ability to lead remote or multi-site teams, providing clear direction while fostering a culture of autonomy and professional pride.
- Deep expertise in plant knowledge and physiology, soil science, and arboriculture, with the ability to diagnose complex pests and diseases across diverse microclimates.
- Proficiency in managing large-scale operational budgets, CAPEX projects, and identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising garden quality.
- Skilled in the operation and oversight of irrigation systems and garden machinery.
- Be a Sustainability Expert with a strong understanding of organic gardening techniques, carbon-neutral maintenance practices, and biodiversity enhancement.
- It is essential you have excellent verbal and written skills for presenting reports, negotiating with vendors, or leading public tours and educational talks.
- Comprehensive knowledge of COSHH, PUWER, and LOLER and other H&S regulations, ensuring a rigorous safety culture across all regional sites.
- The ability to make rapid, informed decisions in response to environmental shifts, mechanical failures, or staffing challenges.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft office and other packages for tracking, reporting and presenting.
- A competitive salary package, travel expenses paid, overnight accommodation and meals provided when away on business.
- Company pension scheme with employer contribution.
- Employee Assistance Program to support you with whatever life throws at you.
- Company Sickness Scheme Benefit.
- 28 days holidays per year with bank holidays, increasing to 33 days per year including bank holidays with length of service.
- Forward career progression, with access to our In House and external training programs, including apprenticeships and other recognised hospitality industry courses which are all supported by our learning and development team.
- Annual loyalty awards (like afternoon teas and overnight stays)
- Online retail discount platform offering thousands of savings with high street retailers and restaurants as well as a health and well-being platform.
- Opportunity to make lifelong friendships and be part of a team that celebrates Diversity and Inclusion.
