Director of Property (UHNW Private Estates)

A wonderful opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic Director of Property to manage a large, privately owned property portfolio (residential) to include a large estate in Buckinghamshire and a luxury residence in Central London.  The Principal is intending to add to the portfolio with properties in the UK, Europe & US so there will be regular travel to manage the Estates to a high standard.

You will have practical experience in M&E systems with a high level of tech and have enthusiasm and a good understanding of new technology available with regard to building management.  A relevant professional qualification is expected (MRICS) with strong building surveying and asset management experience.

A cv demonstrating extensive experience and operations within a private Family Office or UHNW luxury environment.  A top track record with 5 years+ in a senior position within residential property at the luxury end is required to be considered for this role.

Strong project management skills and able to input strategic planning for the future.  An excellent communicator and able to join a strong team and collaborate effectively with this team and external contractors.  Flexible and hands on, solutions driven and happy to work on site or remotely when required.  Good financial acumen, commercially astute with excellent analytical skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the maintenance and operations of the Estate ensuring all mechanical,

Electrical and building management systems are at peak performance

• Effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues with modern M&E systems applying both critical thinking and technical knowledge. Confident dealing with external stakeholders.
• Manage contracts and service provider relationships focusing on high standards of service and innovation
• Ensuring seamless operation of building systems, executing both strategic projects and engineering works.
• Assist with day-to-day oversight of a large international residential property portfolio including several large estates.
• Manage property budgets and contribute to the development of strategies and targets
• Oversee the maintenance and care of estate grounds, including gardens, landscaping and outdoor facilities ensuring they are kept immaculate condition

Competitive Salary + bens + bonus

Job Title: Senior Gardener – Full-time, permanent. Live out.

Salary: £30k – 40k depending on experience.

 Location: Private Estate, near Banbury. 

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a senior gardener to join our small team looking after the beautiful gardens of an organically certified, private estate in North Oxfordshire.

The sixteen acres of estate gardens and wider grounds that surround the sixteenth-century manor house, have been well known for many years going through different phases of ownership and have been photographed and featured in many high level publications.  A recent change of ownership has brought impetus for new direction and redesign across the estate, with new landscape designs led by a well knwon landscaping studio. It is an exciting time to join us at a formative stage of the garden’s development.

The gardens comprise of ornamental gardens, an orchard, a productive walled garden and glasshouse, cutting gardens, gravel garden, nuttery, wildflower meadows, pond and wetland, flowering tree and shrub walk; the overall character is naturalistic alongside formal hedging, lawns and topiary providing structure.

We are looking for an outstanding, passionate, experienced and skilled gardener who will thrive in a rich and diverse horticultural environment, who is a genuine plantsperson, with the plant knowledge and practice to tend to detailed border schemes. This person will also have a great work ethic and will work tidily and professionally at all times. As a small team we are also looking for someone with a positive outlook who enjoys working with others, who can take direction from the Head Gardener, but it is also essential that you are happy to also work for long periods on your own. Due to the size of the team you must have the experience, capability, and self-motivation to consistently work to a high level routinely, without supervision.

The estate is managed according to organic principles and the existing gardeners share the owners’ passion for regenerative methods of managing landscape, promoting biodiversity and exploring and developing methods to garden with sensitivity to nature and the wider landscape, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the ornamental gardens are kept to the highest standard. Previous experience in organic gardening techniques would be a plus but is not essential.

 Additionally, a cut flower business is run from the estate grounds and the new gardener will be required to assist in the maintenance of the cutting gardens as directed by the Head Gardener. A real interest and curiosity for growing cut flowers would be a plus.

Essential Skills

• Excellent gardener with a minimum of three years in a similar level role in a similar context – private or historic estate. 
• Excellent and demonstrable plant knowledge. 
• High level border work, working with attention to detail and craft in border maintenance work. 
• Excellent pruning skills - competency in this area with a range of perennial plants, shrubs and climbers. 
• Demonstrable experience in the routine annual maintenance of hedges; lawns; areas of hard-landscaping; assistance with the care of the wildflower meadows. Ability to keep these to an excellent standard. 
• Experience using power tools for garden maintenance, including hedge-trimming and strimming. 
• Experience in productive gardening: vegetable & soft fruit production
• You will ideally have at least a level 3 horticultural qualification in addition to the required professional experience.

 Desired Skills 

• Experience in producing organic cut flowers a plus, including picking and conditioning flowers (training can be given in this area). 
• Management skills - on occasion you will be required to work with freelance gardeners at busy times of the year, and in the absence of the Head Gardener you will need to be responsible for managing any freelance gardeners on site. 

Routine Hours: 8am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, however flexibility will be required on occasion as will occasional weekend working. 

Reports to: Head Gardener & Estate Manager

We are looking for an experienced Estate Manager to join a busy team in South East England.

The Estate is a prestigious 4,000-acre country estate, known for its high-quality farmland, extensive woodlands, and magnificent gardens surrounding a Listed Principal House. With 40 houses and cottages, a managed pheasant shoot, and ongoing property development opportunities, The Estate requires a dedicated manager to oversee its diverse operations.

Main Duties:

• Administration
• Staffing
• Finance
• Presentation/Estate Maintenance
• Buildings

Required Attributes:

• Excellent communication and management skills
• Active interest in Estate operations
• Keen eye for detail
• Organised, tenacious, and thorough
• Flexible and forward-thinking
• Initiative-driven and IT literate

Remuneration:

• £80 to 90K GPA
• Estate accommodation (3 bed cottage on site)
• Private medical insurance
• 28 days annual leave
• Life assurance (4x annual salary)

Join us in managing and enhancing the legacy of this prestigious country estate.

Apply today to become an integral part of our dedicated team.

*PLEASE NOTE A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION WILL BE PROVIDED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS*