NSW State Manager – Parks & Gardens

Summit Open Space Services; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Open Space Services is seeking an experienced operational leader to own multi-site parks, gardens and horticultural contracts across Sydney Metro. You will drive contract delivery, build high-performing teams and strengthen client partnerships to deliver safe, efficient, and commercially successful operations.

This role blends horticultural expertise with strategic leadership, financial accountability and hands-on oversight to shape community green spaces and long-term care across Sydney.

Qualifications

• Seven years’ experience in senior operational or multi-site management within horticulture or related fields.
• Tertiary qualification in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens Management or related discipline.
• Experience managing budgets and P&L performance.
• Strong leadership, coaching and stakeholder management capability.
• Knowledge of WHS requirements and environmental compliance.
• Valid NSW driver licence and White Card.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of parks, gardens and horticultural maintenance contracts across Sydney Metro.
• Ensure SLAs and performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Manage budgets, P&L performance, forecasting and OPEX.
• Optimise workforce planning, scheduling, resources and subcontractor performance.
• Coach and develop Works Coordinators, Team Leaders, tradespeople and labourers.
• Champion zero-harm WHS culture and environmental/quality standards.
• Build trusted relationships with major clients, partners and local government.
• Support contract renewals, tenders and sustainable growth.

Skills

Senior ops leadership

Multi-site management

Budget & P&L

People leadership

Stakeholder management

WHS & environmental compliance

Driver licence

Education

Bachelors in Horticulture / Parks & Gardens

Job description

We are seeking an experienced operational leader to take ownership of multi-site parks, gardens and horticultural contracts across Sydney Metro. In this role, you will lead contract delivery, develop high-performing teams, strengthen client partnerships and drive safe, efficient and commercially successful operations.

This is an opportunity to combine your horticultural expertise with strategic leadership, financial accountability and hands‑on operational oversight.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of parks, gardens and horticultural maintenance contracts.
• Ensure service level agreements and performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Manage budgets, P&L performance, forecasting and operational expenditure.
• Optimise workforce planning, scheduling, resources and subcontractor performance.
• Coach and develop Works Coordinators, Team Leaders, tradespeople and labourers.
• Champion a zero-harm culture and maintain strong WHS, environmental and quality standards.
• Build trusted relationships with major clients, commercial partners and local government stakeholders.
• Support contract renewals, tender submissions and sustainable business growth.

What you’ll bring:

• At least seven years’ experience in senior operational or multi-site management within horticulture, commercial landscaping, turf management or open-space facilities.
• Tertiary qualification in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens Management or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and P&L performance.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and stakeholder management capability.
• Sound knowledge of commercial horticultural maintenance, WHS requirements and environmental compliance.
• A valid NSW driver licence and White Card.

Why this role?

• Lead diverse, multi-site operations across the Sydney Metro region.
• Shape team culture, service quality and commercial performance.
• Work closely with senior leaders, clients and local government stakeholders.
• Contribute to the presentation, sustainability and long-term care of important community green spaces.