My client is a prestigious landscape architecture and construction company and is looking for a Head of Maintenance and Soft Landscaping Services to join their team. The Head of Maintenance and Soft Landscaping Services will report directly to the Construction Director and have overall responsibility for the delivery of the company’s Maintenance and Soft Landscaping Services, alongside the management of an assigned number of Construction contracts. 

The Head of Maintenance and Soft Landscaping Services will manage the delivery of upwards of 45 maintenance contracts for luxury domestic gardens and small, prestigious commercial contracts across West London and Surrey, including managing the seasonal requirements for replanting, planning future works and further rejuvenating areas of gardens for clients, all of whom we have retained for many years. You will collaborate with the divisional heads within Design and Construction on shared projects and reporting to the Construction Director, the role holder is a core part of the Senior Management Team and will be expected to be self-motivated and understand the autonomy and responsibility which is commensurate with the position.

The role will also support the Construction Director with managing a number of contracts, including ordering materials, organising staff and work programmes, producing and submitting RAMS, carrying out client visits and meetings.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Industry experience, knowledge and qualifications
  • Experience as a project/contract manager
  • Extensive practical experience in a horticultural field and the delivery of maintenance projects to a faultless standard
  • Ability to adapt maintenance regimes according to seasonal requirements
  • Diverse and detailed plant knowledge to design schemes and source stock for seasonal planting changes on projects as well as guiding other team members on timings of various horticultural operations
  • Broad understanding of plant physiology and soil science
  • Knowledge and understanding of plant P&D and treatment options
  • Detailed knowledge of plant biological requirements, pruning times and techniques and plant management and maintenance techniques
  • Detailed knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and comfortable producing RAMS, Operative procedures, checklists and other working documents
  • First Aid at Work
  • SMSTS (Site Manager Safety Training Scheme) qualification or similar relevant experience.
  • CSCS Card (desirable)

The role will be 80% office based (Wandsworth) and 20% site based; and as such a full clean driving licence is essential.