Assistant Groundsperson

Assistant Groundsperson

Closing date: 19th April 2026

Are you looking to develop your horticultural skills and grow your professional network? The Royal Hospital Chelsea demonstrates horticultural excellence across 66 acres of heritage landscape, used for major events throughout the year including the world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea—home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners—is seeking a skilled and dedicated Assistant Groundsperson to join our Grounds & Gardens Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work within one of London’s most historic and beautiful landscapes, supporting the team with maintenance of both formal and informal horticultural areas along with a range of sports facilities.

About the Role

The Assistant Groundsperson will be responsible for the general maintenance of lawns across the estate, ensuring all turf areas remain healthy and well-presented throughout the year. The role includes providing lawn care support for the cricket and football facilities. You will also be involved in maintaining the Royal Hospital Chelsea Bowls Green and assisting the team in covering occasional weekend cricket matches when required.

In addition to turf and sportsground duties, the Assistant Groundsperson will undertake a wide range of horticultural tasks, such as clearing leaves and debris, and performing skilled horticultural work including pruning, planting, and aftercare. The position includes supporting the Grounds & Gardens Team across the site maintaining formal & informal gardens, an award-winning garden and historical Burial Ground. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to support in the Glasshouse, helping with plant propagation and irrigation.

About You

The ideal candidate will have experience in horticulture or grounds maintenance and a solid understanding of turf care, sports facilities and general horticultural techniques. You should be practical, reliable, and comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions. A positive attitude, team spirit, and a willingness to support occasional weekend sports fixtures are important, along with a passion for maintaining high standards within a historic and prestigious environment.

About Us

The ethos of the Royal Hospital is one that puts a premium on selflessness and companionship. Our values of nurturing belonging, respect individuals, encourage pride and enjoy life underpin that ethos. We are united in a shared purpose, living and working together and ensuring everyone has a place in our diverse social and military community.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, where all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on attracting a wide range of talent, removing potential barriers, and promoting equal opportunities. We know, the more varied and inclusive our teams are, the better our organisation will be for our community. We are a Disability Confident employer dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring you are treated with respect throughout the recruitment process and upon joining our community.

Our selection process

Should your application be successful you will be invited to a formal interview, where you will be asked questions relating to your experiences and key requirements of the role. If you are successful after the interviews we will:

• Ask for references from those you have listed on your application form
• Check your right to live and work in the UK
• Check any declarations you have made on your application form
• Ask you to complete a medical form
• Carry out an Enhanced DBS application.