Gardens & Landscape Management
- Oversee the maintenance and development of all gardens, lawns, planted areas, pathways and landscaped guest areas.
- Maintain nurseries for propagation of suitable plants, trees, herbs and other crops.
- Develop seasonal planting and landscape improvement plans.
- Maintain high standards of presentation across all guest-facing areas.
- Ensure responsible use of organic fertilizers, pesticides, water and other garden inputs.
Farm & Farm-to-Table Development
- Develop and implement a long-term vision for the lodge's farm and food-production programme.
- Work closely with the Chef to align farm production with kitchen requirements and consumption patterns.
- Develop crop calendars, planting schedules and production forecasts.
- Monitor farm yields, utilization, wastage and potential cost savings.
- Develop opportunities for the lodge to produce its own value-added products.
Water Management & Grey-Water Systems
- Oversee efficient use of water within gardens and agricultural areas.
- Develop and maintain appropriate water efficient irrigation systems for the gardens and farm.
- Identify opportunities for rainwater harvesting, its storage and water reuse.
- Manage and optimise the safe reuse of treated grey water for appropriate landscaping and agricultural applications.
- Monitor water consumption and identify opportunities for reduction.
- Work with Maintenance and Management to improve the lodge's overall water-management systems.
Sustainability & Eco-Rating
- Identify and implement practical initiatives that improve the lodge's environmental performance and eco-rating.
- Develop systems for composting kitchen and garden waste.
- Develop indigenous tree-planting and habitat restoration initiatives.
- Identify clear waste segregation procedures.
- Keep abreast of relevant sustainable hospitality, agricultural and ecological practices and recommend improvements to Management.
Biodiversity & Naturalist Activities
- Develop the lodge's gardens and grounds as a habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinators and other wildlife.
- Identify and protect indigenous plant species and areas of ecological importance.
- Encourage environmental awareness among staff and guests.
Team Leadership & Operations
- Supervise, train and develop the gardens and farm team.
- Prepare daily, weekly and seasonal work plans.
- Allocate duties and monitor completion and quality of work.
- Manage casual labour requirements responsibly.
- Maintain appropriate records of farm production, garden inputs, equipment and other relevant activities.
- Control departmental costs and minimise unnecessary wastage.
- Ensure all tools, equipment and facilities are properly maintained.
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Housekeeping, Kitchen and Operations departments where responsibilities overlap.
Wellness & Natural Experiences
- Develop gardens and natural spaces that support wellness, relaxation and connection with nature.
- Introduce suitable aromatic, medicinal and edible plants that can support wellness, culinary and guest experiences.
- Identify opportunities to incorporate the gardens, farm and natural environment into wellness activities and guest experiences.
- Work with the wellness, kitchen and operations teams to develop nature-based experiences using locally grown herbs, plants and other natural products.
- Maintain peaceful, attractive and restorative outdoor spaces around guest and wellness areas.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 3 - 5 years' relevant practical experience.
- Demonstrable experience managing gardens, farms, landscaping or ecological projects.
- Strong practical knowledge of horticulture, irrigation, soil management and plant propagation.
- Working knowledge of sustainable agriculture and farm management.
- Understanding of grey-water reuse, water conservation and environmentally responsible irrigation.
- Good understanding of composting, organic waste management and natural pest-control methods.
- Ability to supervise and develop a team.