Cemeteries Manager

St Albans City & District Council; St Albans; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26.5 days annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working options

Staff Parking Permit

Professional fees reimbursement

Development and training

Discounted gym memberships

Discounts via online platform

Job summary

St Albans City & District Council is seeking an experienced Cemeteries Manager to lead the Cemeteries Service across three cemeteries and four closed churchyards. You will drive operational delivery, ensure regulatory and safety standards, manage budgets and contracts, and shape the Council’s Cemeteries Strategy.

The role emphasizes compassionate engagement with bereaved families, stakeholder liaison, and continuous service improvement in a local government setting.

Qualifications

• Experience working with bereaved families and a compassionate approach.
• Experience in managing cemeteries is preferred.
• A-Level or equivalent; ICCM Diploma desirable with development support.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational management and strategic development of the Cemeteries Service.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance and financial/budget management.
• Monitor contracts and oversee grounds maintenance, grave preparation contracts.
• Lead health and safety across all cemetery sites and staff.
• Engage with communities, stakeholders, and volunteers to deliver services.

Skills

Bereavement experience

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

A-level or equivalent

ICCM Diploma desirable

Tools

PlotBox

Job description

Cemeteries Manager

Location: Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JE

Salary: £43,902 – £48,418 for 37 hours per week inclusive annual salary + Local Government Pension Scheme

Hours: 37 hours per week / Full time

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 9th November 2026

Job Ref: P2352

Flexible working options (including hybrid)

About the Role

St Albans City and District Council is responsible for the management of three cemeteries and four closed churchyards. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape the future of the Council’s Cemeteries Service.

The postholder will be responsible for the operational management and strategic development of the service, ensuring the effective delivery of daily operations across all sites.

Key responsibilities include ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance, financial and budget management, contract monitoring, and the oversight of cemetery infrastructure, buildings, and staff. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the management of the grounds maintenance and grave preparation contract provision and liaising with the team daily, as well as playing a key role in delivering the actions identified within the Council’s Cemeteries Strategy and supporting the long-term development of the service. Reviewing and seeking opportunities to develop and promote the service, keeping a customer led ethos within every decision, underpins this role.

The role carries overall responsibility for health and safety across all cemetery sites, ensuring the highest standards are maintained for employees, contractors, visitors, and stakeholders.

About You

The successful candidate will have experience working with bereaved families and a clear understanding of the importance of balancing compassion and empathy with honesty and professionalism.

Previous experience managing cemeteries is desirable, as is experience working within a local government environment. A-Level, or equivalent, is required and an ICCM Diploma is desirable; however, support will be available for the successful candidate to work towards this qualification as part of their professional development. Knowledge of Plotbox or a burial management system is desirable.

You will be passionate about delivering high-quality public service and engaging with local communities. Building positive relationships with community groups, stakeholders, funeral directors, memorial masons, faith groups, and volunteers will be an important aspect of the role.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to lead a valued public service, drive service improvements, and help shape the future of bereavement services within a changing local government landscape.

Full driving licence required.

Why Join Us

Join us to make a positive impact in our community by putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do, while living our values of trust, care, collaboration, confidence and customer focus.

St Albans is a unique English Cathedral City with a colourful history which can be seen in the Roman remains and variety of beautiful architecture, heritage sites and conservation areas. Set within green belt, off the M25, A1(M) and M1, the District includes a cathedral, vibrant city centre and thriving villages. Our centrally located offices in the city are near to the station (London St Pancras 20 minutes), shops and restaurants. In short, it is a great place to live and work.

Benefits

• 26.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service) + bank holidays (pro-rated for anyone who does not have a standard full-time pattern of 37 hours over 5 days, e.g. part-timers)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Staff Parking Permit
• Reimbursement of professional fees
• Comprehensive development and training
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
• Access to discounts and benefits via online platform

Additional Information

Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets all the essential criteria for the post.

Safeguarding: This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.

English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).

You may have experience in the following: Cemeteries Manager, Bereavement Services Manager, Cemetery and Crematorium Manager, Cemeteries and Crematoria Officer, Bereavement Services Officer, Burial Ground Manager, Parks and Open Spaces Manager, Grounds Maintenance Manager, Cemetery Superintendent, Green Spaces Manager, Bereavement Services Team Leader, etc