The Head Gardener position offers an exciting opportunity for a horticulturalist to join the Heide Team!

Head Gardener – Position Description

This is a permanent full-time position (5 days a week)

About Heide

Heide Museum of Modern Art (Heide) is a public art museum and sculpture park located in Bulleen, Victoria. Heide offers an inspiring, educational and thought-provoking experience of modern and contemporary art, architecture, social history and gardens.

The heritage-listed Heide gardens include formal kitchen gardens, orchards, native and exotic trees, shrubs, flowering plants, woodlands and parkland that extend over the sloping site to Yaluk Langa on the banks of the Birrarung/Yarra River. Yaluk Langa (‘River’s Edge’ in Woi-wurrung language) is a collaborative indigenous landscape project developed between Traditional Owners and the Heide team.

Across 6.5 hectares, the site includes the original home of John and Sunday Reed, the Reed’s architecturally significant second home, larger modern gallery spaces (including the Albert and Barbara Tucker Gallery), the Sidney Myer Education Centre and a cafe. Heide presents 10 to 14 temporary exhibitions per year across five exhibition galleries with associated publications, public and education programs. The exhibition program represents both modern and contemporary art, drawn from the Heide Collections and external sources, and while the focus is on Australian art, it also includes some international projects.

About the role

Primary focus of the position

The Head Gardener position offers an exciting opportunity for a horticulturalist to coordinate all aspects of the strategic planning related to the development of Heide’s gardens and work closely with all departments to develop programs and promote the museum.

The Head Gardner role has several direct reports (Gardeners) and manages various contractors and volunteers. The role reports and works closely with the Facilities Manager across the site.

Duties

In fulfilling the primary focus of the position duties will typically encompass the following key responsibilities:

Horticultural Management

• Work with the Facilities Manager to prepare annual and triennial plans for the development and maintenance of the grounds of the Museum
• Initiate, research and implement a total garden care program for the development and maintenance of the horticultural interests of the Museum.
• Be responsible for all horticultural strategies including watering and water conservation, pest control and diseases, pruning, mowing and arboriculture.
• Provide advice on the implementation of new landscape plans for Heide redevelopment projects.
• Research, source and plant variety of plants stock from reputable suppliers in accordance with Heritage and indigenous requirements.

Maintenance of Grounds

• Regularly maintain all external public areas to a high standard of safety and cleanliness, including entrances, exits, car parks, pathways, the plaza, steps, courtyards, Sculpture Park and gardens of Heide Cottage, Heide Modern and Heide Main Galleries
• Maintain and coordinate servicing of all garden vehicles, tools, plants and equipment.
• Repair and coordinate maintenance of all garden and fence structures including car parks and gates. Assist the Cultural Programming Team with the preparation and installation of sculptures in the Sculpture Park and courtyards.
• Assist the Facilities Manager with Capital Works Program and budgets relating to the upkeep of grounds and equipment.

Management

• Provide advice to the Senior Management Team on parks and gardens imperatives identified in museum’s Corporate Plan and contribute to strategic objectives.
• Assist the Development team in determining funding and sponsorships and marketing strategies pertaining to the grounds.
• Manage the gardening staff, voluntary staff, apprentices and interns as applicable. Foster the professional development of horticultural staff. Coordinate the Museum’s program for garden volunteers.
• Manage external contractors to ensure compliance and quality of work.
• Prepare, monitor and manage Gardens’ budgets. Work closely with the Facilities Manager and Executive Director on all matters relating to budgets and outcomes for the Museum’s horticultural programmes and grounds maintenance.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, contribute to regular Business Outcome reporting for the Heide Board, to the Museum’s Annual Report and other reporting as required.

Public Programmes and Marketing

• Liaise with the Learning and Audience Engagement Manager to develop and deliver high quality programming that engages the public with the Heide I Vegetable Garden, the Heide II Kitchen Garden, the Healing Garden, the Wild Garden, Yaluk Langa and the park generally.
• Contribute to research on the heritage of Heide, its horticulture history and participate in public programs.
• Represent Heide at seminars, conferences, etc. and present papers within relevant fields of scholarship.
• Assist with the setting up and demounting of public functions and directing visitors to car parking as required.
• Contribute to social media presence/EDMs etc to update Heide’s audience on the status of the gardens and seasonal changes.

Communication and Professional Practice

• Participate in the oversight, guidance and development of apprentices, volunteers and interns as applicable.
• Maintain strong communication with the Facilities Manager and the Executive Director to assist and facilitate the effective and efficient management of the Heide grounds and heritage gardens.
• Liaise with Wurundjeri community members and land managers to ensure works on site are conducted in a culturally and environmentally respectful manner 
• Participate in Heide’s corporate life including attendance at and assistance with openings, stakeholder events and other after-hours programs as required.

Additional skills, knowledge & experience

• A flexible approach regarding hours of work.
• Understanding of and an interest in the arts industry

Key selection criteria

To achieve the purpose of the position, the following attributes are required:

• A Diploma/Degree/Higher Degree in horticulture or landscape gardening.
• Proven management experience in relation to budgets, staff and implementation of relevant technical standards and occupational health and safety regulations is essential.
• Extensive knowledge of horticulture and the art of gardening in a public environment.
• Previous experience in maintaining a large garden or public park and commitment to garden care and interpretation.
• Demonstrated understanding of museums and the needs of museum and garden visitors.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a team environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and interpersonal skills.

Other relevant information

• The successful applicant will be subject to a six-month probationary period.
• Gardeners’ hours are 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday with after-hours work when required.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo security clearances performed by the Australian Federal Police, and are required to undergo Heide Environment, Workplace and OH&S inductions.
• It is the employee’s responsibility to understand and adhere to Heide’s Policies & Procedures as varied from time to time.
• Heide requires all employees to have an understanding of its Risk Management Framework.

Application Instructions

Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a statement addressing the Key Selection Criteria (no longer than half a page per criterion) and be submitted by 5.00pm on Friday 26 September 2025 to:  employment@heide.com.au

Please state ‘Head Gardener & Caretaker Application’ in the subject line.