Garden Team Leader | Horticulturist

A distinguished private family in Santa Barbara is looking for an experienced Garden Team Leader and Horticulturist to care for and continue shaping a refined Mediterranean-style landscape spanning roughly 20+ acres. The gardens were designed by a world-renowned landscape architect, and this role is centered on protecting that vision while guiding the property forward with steadiness and intention.

It has been our privilege to work with this family for many years. They are thoughtful, generous people who genuinely value the professionals who care for their home, and they are looking for someone who will bring both skill and heart to the work — a horticultural leader who can preserve the integrity of the gardens while building a stable, accountable, and high-performing team for the years ahead.

The person who thrives here will be a hands-on horticultural professional with real leadership experience in private estate gardens. Just as importantly, they will pair technical knowledge and a strong aesthetic eye with operational discipline, emotional intelligence, and a quiet sense of discretion — someone who knows how to bring out the best in an established team while holding the highest standard of craftsmanship.

• Full-Time
• Live-Out
• Monday–Friday (with flexibility required)

What You'll Do

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the care, health, and continued evolution of the Mediterranean-style gardens and grounds.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the on-site garden team, and coordinate specialized outside vendors as needed.
• Plan and carry out seasonal planting strategies, irrigation plans, fertilization schedules, and sustainable horticultural practices.
• Keep a close eye on plant health, soil conditions, integrated pest management, and the long-term vitality of the landscape.
• Take on and oversee fine gardening, pruning, detailing, and hands-on horticultural work as the gardens require.
• Work closely with landscape architects, contractors, and consultants to maintain design continuity and quality execution.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and garden infrastructure to a professional standard.
• Develop and manage horticultural budgets and project timelines.
• Adapt to the household's needs with professionalism, including occasional weekend or holiday coverage.

 What We're Looking For

• A degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, or a related field.
• Five to ten years of progressive experience in estate garden management, ideally within Mediterranean or California-appropriate landscapes.
• Extensive, demonstrated experience working within the Central Coast growing climate — its microclimates, soils, and seasonal patterns — is required for this role.
• A proven track record of leading and developing garden or grounds teams.
• Strong working knowledge of irrigation systems, plant health care, soil science, and sustainable practices.
• The ability to balance creative vision with structured, organized operational management.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and genuine discretion.
• The ability to pass a comprehensive background check and provide outstanding professional references.

Compensation and Benefits

• $160,000–$200,000, commensurate with experience
  Full Benefits — Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Days
  
• 401(k)

This is a long-term leadership opportunity for a horticultural professional who values stewardship, structure, and excellence — and who finds real meaning in cultivating both beautiful landscapes and strong teams with integrity and purpose.

DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, dedicated to connecting exceptional Private Service Professionals with private clients and family offices across the United States. Built over more than a decade on referrals and repeat clients, we have grown thoughtfully by doing one thing well: finding the right person for the right home.

Every member of our recruiting team has worked personally in the homes of prominent private clients, as estate managers, private chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just understand private service in theory; we've navigated its nuances, its demands, and its deeply personal nature from the inside. That perspective shapes every search we conduct and every candidate we represent.

We encourage you to regularly explore our job board and apply for any roles that align with your experience and aspirations. When your background aligns with what our clients are looking for, we will be in touch. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon.