At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead softscape works and manage ongoing garden maintenance for beautiful, thriving gardens.
- Company: Takaynar, an ecological landscape design studio in Melbourne.
- Benefits: Real ownership of projects, growth opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to ecological design and sustainable practices.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on gardens and work hands-on with nature.
- Qualifications: Hands-on horticultural experience and strong plant knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 62100 - 75900 $ per year.
Takaynar is an ecological landscape design, construction and maintenance studio based in Melbourne's north. We design, build and care for native, edible and habitat-rich gardens for homeowners across suburbs like Coburg, Brunswick, Camberwell and Balwyn. Everything is done in-house – no subcontractors and no handoffs – so the people who plant a garden are the same people who help it thrive for years afterwards. We're a proud member of Landscaping Victoria.
About the role
We're looking for a Softscape & Horticulture Manager to take ownership of the living side of everything we do. You'll lead the softscape works on our landscape construction projects and run our ongoing garden maintenance program, making sure every garden we create establishes beautifully and keeps getting better. It's a hands-on role – you'll be on the tools as much as you're planning the week – and you'll have real ownership over how horticulture runs at Takaynar.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning softscape works across our landscape projects, from soil prep to the final layer of mulch
- Coordinating and undertaking soil preparation, planting, mulching, jute matting and garden establishment
- Planning labour, materials, plant orders and installation schedules
- Leading and developing our horticulture crew so work is done well, on time and on budget
- Holding a high bar for planting quality, plant health and garden presentation
- Working closely with our construction team so the move from hardscape to planting is seamless
- Running and delivering our garden maintenance program across our clients' gardens
- Diagnosing and resolving plant health, soil, irrigation and establishment issues
- Scheduling horticultural staff across multiple sites
What you'll bring:
- Diverse, hands-on horticultural experience and excellent plant knowledge
- Proven experience coordinating and delivering softscape installations
- Strong organisation, scheduling and time management
- Confidence managing labour, materials and budgets
- Strong knowledge of soil preparation, planting technique, plant establishment and ongoing garden care
- A proactive, hands-on approach and a real eye for detail
- A current driver's licence
- Highly regarded Certificate III or higher in Horticulture
- ChemCert (AQF3)
- Experience with Australian native and indigenous plants, naturalistic planting and sustainable horticulture
Why you'll love working with us:
- Gardens you'll be proud of – plant-led, ecological design, not mow-and-blow
- Real ownership of horticulture in a growing business, with room to grow alongside us
- You get to see your plantings mature – we stay with our gardens long after the build
- A team that cares about doing things properly
Softscape and Horticulture Manager in Melbourne employer: Takaynar
At Takaynar, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture. As a Softscape and Horticulture Manager, you'll enjoy the unique opportunity to lead hands-on projects while nurturing your professional growth in a thriving ecological landscape design studio. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, you'll be part of a passionate team dedicated to creating beautiful gardens that flourish over time, all within the vibrant community of Melbourne's northern suburbs.
