Garden / Estate Manager Full Time Job

Garden / Estate Manager job vacancy in Cape Town.

A prestigious private estate in Cape Town is seeking an experienced and dedicated Garden Manager to take full responsibility for the care, maintenance and ongoing development of its beautiful gardens and grounds.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone with a genuine passion for horticulture, an excellent eye for detail and the ability to maintain extensive gardens to an exceptionally high standard.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take full responsibility for the daily maintenance and presentation of the estate gardens and grounds
• Plan and oversee planting, pruning, fertilising, mowing and seasonal garden maintenance
• Manage and maintain lawns, flower beds, trees, shrubs, hedges and landscaped areas
• Monitor and maintain irrigation systems and identify problems promptly
• Lead, supervise and coordinate the gardening team
• Allocate daily tasks and ensure work is completed efficiently and to the required standard
• Maintain garden equipment, tools and machinery
• Manage stock levels of plants, fertiliser, pesticides and other gardening supplies
• Coordinate external contractors and specialist services when required
• Assist with ongoing landscaping, planting and garden improvement projects
• Implement preventative maintenance to ensure the gardens remain consistently immaculate
• Monitor the health and condition of plants and trees and take appropriate action where required
• Maintain a safe, clean and well-organised working environment
• Report on maintenance requirements, projects and any issues affecting the estate grounds

Minimum Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Garden Manager, Head Gardener, Estate Gardener or similar
• Strong horticultural knowledge and practical gardening experience
• Experience managing and supervising a gardening team
• Excellent knowledge of plants, trees, lawns, pruning and seasonal garden care
• Good understanding of irrigation systems
• Experience with garden machinery and equipment
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of the gardens
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in maintaining high standards
• Physically fit and comfortable working outdoors
• Valid driver’s licence advantageous
• Formal horticultural qualification will be an advantage

The Ideal Candidate:

The successful candidate will be hands-on, reliable, organised and passionate about horticulture. You should take personal pride in the appearance of the estate and have the experience and confidence to lead a gardening team while also getting involved in the practical work.

Experience working on a private estate, luxury property, hotel, wine estate or prestigious garden will be highly advantageous.