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Head Gardener at Naro Moru River Lodge
Naro Moru River Lodge
September 17, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Key Responsibilities
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.
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.