Horticultural Operations Lead

Main Duties

This is a truly unique role within horticulture and garden design, offering an exciting opportunity to work with an innovative studio that’s pushing the boundaries of what can be grown in containers. Our practice is deeply focused on refining designs to best suit the environment, with a particular interest in dry gardening in containers and developing new approaches for planting in difficult urban spaces.

Role Overview

The Maintenance Team / Studio Manager is a hybrid role, combining hands-on horticultural knowledge, people management, admin, and studio organisation. You will be responsible for the smooth running of maintenance operations across plants, tools, equipment, stock, scheduling, and client communication. This role demands independence, initiative, and confidence in carving out your own niche within a small but ambitious and scaling team.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Management
  • Lead, support, and motivate maintenance teams across interior and exterior planting projects.
  • Carry out weekly 1:1 staff check-ins for feedback, training, and development.
  • Oversee weekly scheduling and rota management for both regular maintenance and one-off jobs.
• Studio & Stock Management
  • Manage all stock plants at the studio, houseplant greenhouses, and exterior plant storage.
  • Organise and maintain tools, equipment, and sundries.
  • Ensure studio systems are efficient, creative, and practical.
• Client Communication
  • Act as a point of contact for client queries and updates.
  • Deliver clear, professional communication with an understanding of client needs, particularly the importance of planting to create inviting spaces that bring people into restaurants and venues.
  • Support site visits where needed to ensure high standards of service and presentation.
• Operations & Systems
  • Develop and refine operational systems to improve efficiency as the business scales.
  • Ensure maintenance standards are consistently met and exceeded.
  • Keep accurate records of schedules, stock, and team activities.

Skills and Experience Required

About You

• Excellent organisational skills with strong personal time management.
• Proven experience managing people with clear, direct, and positive communication.
• Confident working independently, taking initiative, and slotting into a small team while carving your own niche.
• Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities within a scaling small business.
• Experience of good, clear client service communications with an understanding of how planting directly supports client success.
• Essential horticultural knowledge – both houseplants and outdoor plants, with strong understanding of how to garden in difficult or unusual spaces.
• Passionate about plants, gardening, and innovative approaches to urban planting — especially container gardening and dry gardening.
• Practical, hands-on approach with a creative eye for plants and detail.
• Systems-thinking mindset and passion for streamlining operations.
• Confident cycling in London (cargo bike experience a plus).
• Full, clean driving licence – confident driving in London.