Contract Manager

Ground Control; Stanford Dingley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Pension scheme

Private GP

Life insurance

Gym membership

Holiday buy scheme

Job summary

Ground Control is seeking a regionally focused leader to own the end-to-end delivery of grounds maintenance services across your area. You will build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the main contact and driving service improvements while ensuring safety and quality at every site.

You will lead day-to-day operations, coordinate DE teams and subcontractors, and manage SLAs with a calm, practical approach.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing grounds maintenance or horticultural contracts across multi-site environments.
• Clear understanding of operational standards and seasonal demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of grounds maintenance services across your region.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with customers as main point of contact.
• Provide clear leadership to teams and subcontractors, setting and monitoring standards.

Skills

Regional ownership

Client relationships

Leadership

Health & Safety

Driving licence

Job description

In this role, you'll take full ownership of your region and play a key part in maintaining strong client relationships and high standards across every site.

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of grounds maintenance services across your region, ensuring each site is well-presented, safe and delivered to the standards expected by our clients.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with customers, acting as their main point of contact and proactively managing expectations, feedback and service improvements.
• Provide clear leadership to DE teams and subcontractors, setting standards, monitoring performance and ensuring work is delivered consistently, efficiently and with pride.
• Plan, organise and prioritise daily and seasonal operations, making sure SLAs are achieved, schedules run smoothly and health and safety requirements are always met.
• Identify opportunities for extra works and service enhancements, using your knowledge of sites and client needs to add value and contribute to regional growth.
• Tackle issues early and maintain strong performance across all contracts, using sound judgement, problem‑solving skills and a calm, practical approach to challenges.
• Work closely with Regional Operations Directors, HSQE partners and central support teams to ensure your region runs effectively and clients receive a seamless, reliable service.
• Proven experience managing grounds maintenance or horticultural contracts (or similar multi‑site service delivery environments), with a clear understanding of operational standards, seasonal demands and what "good" looks like on‑site.
• A confident, organised leader who sets clear expectations, follows through on commitments and takes ownership of regional performance and culture
• Someone who builds trust quickly with clients and teams: credible, communicative and able to handle difficult conversations with fairness and professionalism
• A calm, solutions‑focused problem solver who can prioritise, make sound decisions under pressure and tackle issues early before they escal
• Strong commercial awareness, able to spot extra works opportunities, protect margins and balance quality with efficiency
• High personal standards around safety, quality and service delivery, with the judgement to maintain them even when resources are stretched
• A full UK driving licence, as you'll be travelling across your region to meet clients, support teams and ensure consistent delivery

Ground Control is a leading external maintenance business and biodiversity expert committed to enhancing and improving the physical environment for our customers and their communities. We're a purpose driven, values centred business, on a mission to realise the potential of human nature by bringing together people, places and the planet. Human Nature - At Its Best Founded in 1973 Turnover Growing Daily Maintenance · Reading · Hybrid.

• Competitive salary - aligned with your skills and experience.
• Performance linked bonus: Bonus opportunities aligned to your level and contribution.
• Pension scheme - helping you plan for the future.
• Recognition schemes - celebrating and rewarding great work.
• Private GP service - fast, convenient access to medical support.
• Life insurance - providing added peace of mind.
• Subsidised gym membership - supporting your health and wellbeing.
• Holiday buy scheme - purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave.

Equal Opportunities Statement At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010. We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation. We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero‑tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels.