What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Team Leader / Horticulturist position at Private Home?
A distinguished private garden in Santa Barbara seeks an experienced Garden Team Leader / Horticulturist to steward and advance a refined Mediterranean-style landscape set across approximately 29 acres. This position is designed to best preserve the integrity and long-term vision of the gardens, and establish a stable, accountable, and high-performing team environment moving forward.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on horticultural professional with demonstrated leadership experience in private estate garden management. This individual will combine technical expertise, aesthetic sensibility, operational discipline, and emotional intelligence to guide an established team while maintaining the highest standards of discretion and excellence.
Key Responsibilities
o Provide overall leadership and direction for the care and evolution of the Mediterranean-style gardens and grounds
o Manage, mentor, and elevate an on-site garden team, while coordinating specialized outside vendors
o Develop and implement seasonal planting strategies, irrigation plans, fertilization schedules, and sustainable horticultural practices
o Monitor plant health, soil conditions, integrated pest management, and long-term landscape vitality
o Execute and oversee fine gardening, pruning, detailing, and hands-on horticultural work as required
o Collaborate with landscape architects, contractors, and consultants to ensure design continuity and quality execution
o Maintain tools, equipment, and garden infrastructure to professional standards
o Develop and oversee horticultural budgets and project timelines
o Adapt to estate needs with professionalism, including occasional weekend or holiday coverage
Qualifications
o Degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or related field
o 5–10 years of progressive experience in estate garden management, ideally within Mediterranean or California appropriate landscapes
o Proven success leading and developing garden or grounds teams
o Strong working knowledge of irrigation systems, plant health care, soil science, and sustainable practices
o Demonstrated ability to balance creative vision with structured operational management
o Exceptional attention to detail, organizational capability, and discretion
o Ability to pass a comprehensive background check and provide outstanding professional references
This is a long-term leadership opportunity for a horticultural professional who values stewardship, structure, and excellence, and who is committed to cultivating both landscapes and teams with integrity and purpose.
Salary : $130,000 - $180,000