Horticulturist at Faircape Group

Job Description

• Faircape Life is the benchmark for high-end retirement living, operating six premier retirement villages in the Western Cape.  Our luxury estates are designed around exceptional lifestyle, wellbeing, and attention to detail — offering residents beautifully maintained gardens, pet-friendly environments, world-class Clubhouses, state-of-the-art Healthcare Centres, swimming pools, gyms, and tranquil outdoor spaces that elevate everyday living.
• We are seeking an experienced Senior Horticulturist that will be based in Somerset West, and to take full ownership of the landscaping and gardens across Bridgewater Manor, Heritage Manor, and Onrus Manor. This is a senior, hands-on role responsible for maintaining and enhancing our high-end gardens across multiple luxury estates, while leading teams and setting horticultural standards that reflect the Faircape Life brand.
• Are you passionate about creating and sustaining exceptional outdoor environments? Do you thrive on managing multiple sites, guiding teams, and transforming landscapes into spaces residents are proud to call home? This is an opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact across some of Faircape Life’s most prestigious estates.

Key Responsibilities

• Garden Excellence: Ensure the gardens are always immaculate, flourishing, and seasonally spectacular. Provide expert advice on the selection, planting, and care of diverse flora, from trees and shrubs to turf grasses.
• Horticultural Leadership: Use your in-depth plant knowledge to maintain vibrant landscapes through sustainable gardening, pest management, and soil nutrition practices.
• Innovative Projects: Spearhead landscaping proposals and oversee new garden designs, from common areas to private cottage renovations.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement seasonal horticultural calendars, ensuring year-round visual impact and plant health.
• Irrigation & Water Management: Oversee and optimise irrigation systems across all estates, ensuring efficient water usage, leak detection, and alignment with water-wise and sustainability best practices.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure all gardening activities comply with Health & Safety requirements, including the safe use of tools, machinery, and chemicals, and adherence to estate safety standards.
• Contractor & Supplier Coordination: Manage and oversee external landscaping contractors and plant suppliers, ensuring quality workmanship, timelines, and compliance with Faircape Life standards.
• Estate Presentation & Inspections: Conduct regular estate-wide inspections to proactively identify risks, deterioration, or improvement opportunities, escalating requirements where necessary.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Implement environmentally responsible gardening practices, including composting, soil regeneration, indigenous planting, and pest control strategies.
• Equipment & Asset Control: Maintain oversight of garden equipment, tools, and assets, ensuring proper maintenance, storage, and replacement planning.
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Work closely with Management, Estate Managers, Village Managers and gardening teams to coordinate landscaping work with broader estate operations.
• Community Engagement: Host engaging garden talks for residents, fostering appreciation for the estates' stunning landscapes. 
• Seasonal & Event Support: Support estate events and seasonal displays by preparing gardens to a consistently resident-ready and visitor-ready standard.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications

• A degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Landscape Architect or related field.

Experience & Expertise

• Proven track record managing multiple luxury estates or high-profile garden projects.
• Extensive knowledge of plant biology, soil science, irrigation systems, and environmental sustainability.
• Experience implementing landscaping projects of the highest standard.

Skills & Attributes

• Attention to Detail: A sharp eye for presentation, plant health, and finishing touches that ensure gardens are consistently estate-ready and visually exceptional.
• Hands-On Leadership: Willingness to lead from the front, working alongside teams when needed to set standards and maintain momentum.
• Accountability & Ownership: Takes full responsibility for garden performance across all sites, following through on commitments and standards..
• Time Management & Reliability: Highly dependable, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively across multiple estates and deadlines.
• Problem Solver: Expert in diagnosing and resolving plant health challenges, including pests and diseases.
• Organized & Strategic: Exceptional planning and multitasking skills to manage complex projects across multiple sites.
• Innovative & Adaptable: Flexibility to embrace new ideas, weather challenges, and evolving landscapes.

Specific Requirements

• Own reliable transport.
• Clear criminal record.
• Two written references preferred