Course Manager

Burhill Group Limited (BGL); High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Wycombe Heights is recruiting a Head Greenkeeper to lead the greenkeeping team across both courses and the driving range, ensuring top quality playing surfaces and a superb member experience. You’ll plan and implement budgets, develop the team, and collaborate with the General Manager to align operations with the club's strategy. This is a hands‑on leadership role demanding turf expertise, strong communication and a proactive safety approach.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a large team.
• Course management experience essential.
• Previous Head Greenkeeper experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the greenkeeping team to maintain high course standards.
• Develop budgets, plans and drive operational excellence.
• Collaborate with General Manager and stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Time management

Education

GCSEs desirable

Level 3 Sports Turf Qualification desirable

Job description

Wycombe Heights has an exciting opportunity for a Course Manager to lead our greenkeeping team across both courses and our driving range, helping us continue to raise the standard of the golfing experience for our members and guests.

This is a great opportunity to make your mark. You’ll develop your team, influence the future of the courses and invest in your own personal and professional development along the way.

Whether you’re an experienced Deputy Course Manager ready to take the next step, or an established Course Manager looking for a fresh challenge within a forward-thinking and growing golf business, we’d love to hear from you.

Salary: £43-£45k per annum plus bonus potential, dependant upon successful applicant.

ABOUT BURHILL GOLF & LEISURE

Burhill Golf & Leisure specialises in delivering exceptional experiences. Guided by our purpose – to create space to play and be together – we focus on delivering outstanding moments across all our venues.

Our diverse portfolio includes meticulously designed golf courses that cater to players of all skill levels, innovative high‑tech driving ranges equipped with Trackman technology, engaging outdoor crazy golf courses that offer fun for the entire family, and Health & Fitness facilities that support every step of your wellness journey. We also provide versatile function spaces ideal for memorable events, from corporate gatherings to private celebrations, creating opportunities for people to connect, share moments, and enjoy time together.

Our values underpin everything we do:

Fun, bringing energy, contribute to the happiness of the team and deliver unforgettable moments of delight.

Ambition, constantly looking to improve, taking the positives from every situation, and being prepared to play even if we don’t always win.

Collaboration, communicate openly and work inclusively across teams and functions.

Trust, fostering safe environments, acting responsibly, and believing in each other.

Join us for an exciting adventure on the greens and beyond!

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Head Greenkeeper is responsible for leading the strategic, operational, financial and people management activities of the greenkeeping function, ensuring the golf course, driving range and surrounding grounds are maintained to the highest possible standards. Working closely with the General Manager, the role is accountable for the delivery of exceptional playing conditions, effective resource management, regulatory compliance, and the achievement of business objectives.

As a key member of the club’s leadership team, the Head Greenkeeper will develop and implement operational plans that support the wider business strategy, oversee all aspects of golf course presentation and maintenance, and drive continuous improvement across the department. The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise in sports turf management, and a commitment to delivering an outstanding experience for members and guests.

The Head Greenkeeper will lead, develop and inspire the greenkeeping team, ensuring high levels of performance, engagement, training and compliance whilst fostering a positive and collaborative working environment. They will also take ownership of departmental budgets, capital expenditure planning, asset management and financial performance, ensuring the greenkeeping operation delivers value, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

In addition to maintaining exceptional course standards, the Head Greenkeeper will build strong relationships with members, colleagues and stakeholders, uphold the traditions and reputation of the club, and contribute to the continued success and growth of the business through innovation, professionalism and operational excellence.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic

• Assist the General Manager to ensure that all aspects of the greenkeeping team are aligned with the overall strategy for the club.
• Deliver operational plans for greenkeeping that will contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the strategic plan.
• Contribute to the preparation and regularly review the business plan for greenkeeping
• Keep abreast of changes in the golf market in which the Wycombe Heights operates and use this knowledge to identify opportunities for all areas of greenkeeping.

Operations

• Continually review and develop standard operating procedures for greenkeeping to enhance member and guest satisfaction whilst maximising revenue and profitability.
• Achieve a minimum of 90% in the audit.
• To actively participate in the various tasks required in the maintenance of the property. Including (but not limited to) mowing, hole-changing, divot-filling, bunker raking, aerating, top dressing, fertilising, watering, spraying and pest control etc.

• To organise and participate in project works such as green, tee and bunker renovation, turfing, seeding, path work, irrigation, drainage, and fairway renovations etc.
• Understand fertiliser and pesticide rates, calibrations and maintain records. Maintain up to date spraying qualifications.
• Maintain the effective operation of the irrigation system.

• Manage projects, monitor and evaluate their success as required.
• Oversee the care and maintenance of all assets, inventory, and resources of the greenkeeping division.

• To operate all the golf course equipment and golf buggies, including servicing and repair schedules.
• To participate in and supervise the maintenance of all golf course operations, soil processing and general maintenance work to include around the clubhouse and maintenance buildings.

• Monitor turf quality, including checking for pests, diseases, soil moisture and thatch levels. Produce action plans to remedy poor turf situations.
• To present the driving range outfield to the highest possible standard. This includes routine work throughout the year to maintain and improve the grass on the outfield.
• To organise and manage the collection of driving range golf balls. This includes both manual and mechanical collections depending on the conditions at the time.
• To ensure the quality of the driving range balls are maintained, removing from circulation any worn balls and working with the Head Professional to order new stock as required
• Develop and implement Health and Safety procedures that comply with up-to-date legislation, ensure they are clearly communicated, effectively monitored, and regularly reviewed.
• Prepare for, attend, and contribute to departmental and organisational meetings.
• Assist in a duty manager capacity as requested by the General Manager.

People

• People Management – ensure all team members are performing to their optimum ability, recognising and rewarding high and exceptional performance and performance managing under or poor performers.
• Regular, relevant and timely communication across the teams to ensure full understanding and transparency of company objectives and performance.
• Take an active role in the recruitment and consistent induction of all staff members, taking overall responsibility for their welfare and their development.
• Ensure recruitment is completed ethically and legally. Job descriptions, expectations and goals are described at length. Comprehensive note taking at interview stage to reflect the candidate response. Compliance with Right to Live & Work laws and references sought and confirmed.
• Ensure direct reports receive a (minimum) monthly 121, regular completion of their Timeline and Employee Feedback Forms are completed as required.
• Ensure direct reports receive performance support utilising the structure and process provided by the company.
• Ensure personal and team compliance within Access Learning is 100% at all times.
• Maintain a strong network with fellow BGL Greenkeeping tea members to support robust collaboration.
• Maintain a high level of communication with the membership through Intelligent Golf, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Uphold the traditions of Burhill Golf Club, maintaining the formality of working with the committee whilst adopting a progressive and positive agenda on behalf of BGL and its shareholders.

Financial

• Take full responsibility for the preparation and implementation of business plans, financial budgets, marketing plans and capital expenditure schedules to grow and sustain the profitability of the greenkeeping division.
• Take responsibility for all greenkeeping income and expenditure and demonstrate a sound understanding at all times of the financial detail of the business, culminating in month end reporting.
• Establish, monitor, and analyse operations budgets and take prompt corrective action to address variances, ensuring each operating area is maximising efficiency and profitability.
• Achieve revenue and contribution targets and identified KPI’s for each aspect of greenkeeping.
• Implement and monitor all financial controls associated to greenkeeping.
• Complete month end procedures for inventory in line with BGL company stock taking procedures.
• Adhere and monitor compliance of purchasing policies and procedures.
• Ensure all BGL procedures and policies are adhered to.

Customer Experience

• Ensure that all teams in the golf business consistently deliver outstanding service levels to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.

KEY EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Experience

• Previous experience working as a Head Greenkeeper is desirable
• Proven experience managing a large team is essential.
• Course management experience is essential.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills: Verbal, Written and Listening.
• Strong relationship building skills to promote inclusivity and openness.
• Good Time management, organisation, and prioritisation skills.

Attributes

• Organised and enthusiastic with a “can do” attitude and attention to detail.
• Enthusiastic with a positive energy that uplifts the team.
• Driven with a motivation to continuously improve.
• Adaptable and resilient, responding well to change
• Trustworthy and consistency to build safe and supportive environments.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Good GCSE educational standard is desirable.
• Level 3 Sports Turf Qualification or equivalent level qualification is desirable.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please speak with the hiring manager regarding any requirements.