Garden and Grounds Manager

About the role

Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery is seeking a professional, energetic, and highly motivated Garden & Grounds Manager to lead the care, development, and long-term vision of our expansive estate gardens and outdoor spaces. This full-time leadership role oversees all garden and grounds operations, ensuring exceptional aesthetic quality, horticultural excellence, and a consistently elevated guest experience. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, action-driven, and results-focused, with strong communication skills. This position requires strategic planning, hands-on horticultural expertise, and effective leadership of multiple teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop the gardens and grounds teams to ensure all daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks are completed to the highest standard.
• Oversee skilled and general gardening work including design, planning, planting, propagation, pest management, and overall landscape maintenance.
• Create and maintain indoor and outdoor seasonal displays that reflect the estate's brand and aesthetic.
• Perform and oversee daily horticultural tasks including hedging, pruning, staking, feeding, spraying, weeding, arboriculture, and safe chemical usage.
• Manage large-property mowing, mulching, and leaf removal across extensive acreage.
• Oversee and execute snow removal operations to ensure safe and accessible grounds.
• Manage, clean, and maintain fountain and water features to ensure proper function and aesthetic presentation.
• Support event preparation by ensuring all spaces are groomed, polished, and event-ready, including décor placement and staging support.
• Develop and execute an annual plan to ensure long-term garden health and beauty.
• Inspect garden structures regularly, performing minor repairs or coordinating with maintenance teams as needed.
• Identify hazards, defects, and repair needs to maintain a safe and well-managed environment.
• Provide coaching, training, performance management, and ongoing support to all team members.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, or a related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in grounds management, landscaping, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a managerial role.
• Skills: Strong leadership and team management skills, excellent organizational and project management abilities, and a keen eye for detail.
• Knowledge: Proficiency in landscape design principles, plant care, greenhouse & irrigation systems, and grounds maintenance techniques.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform physical tasks and work in various weather conditions.

Pay

$26.00/hr to $32.00/hr, based on experience.

Benefits

• Employee medical premium paid 80%, dependents paid 40%
• 80% employer-paid premiums for dental and vision
• Basic Life at 25K and Voluntary Life, AD&D, and Accident plans are available
• Short Term Disability, employer-paid
• 26 days paid time off per year
• 401(k) with up to 6% company match
• Generous employee discounts at Trump Winery, Trump Cidery, and Trump Hotels
• Other employee programs include TicketsatWork, Red Wing Shoes Discounts, Shoes for Crews, a Discount Gym Membership at Planet Fitness, an employee referral program, monthly education opportunities, and more

Schedule

Full-time, regularly scheduled 40 hours/week.