Deputy Head Groundskeeper

Sheffield United Football Club; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 25,830 - 31,570; Full time

Job summary

Sheffield United Football Club is hiring a Deputy Head Groundskeeper to maintain the training pitches at Shirecliffe Training Ground. The role includes supervising grounds staff, managing maintenance tasks, and ensuring safety compliance during all operations.

The ideal candidate should have experience in pitch maintenance and staff management, a full driving licence, and a good understanding of equipment operation. The position offers an annual salary of £28,700 and requires a commitment to safety and high standards.

Qualifications

• Experience managing and maintaining stadium pitches and staff.
• Proven track record of executing general grounds maintenance.
• Experience with machinery checking and logging.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing maintenance of pitches.
• Supervise staff and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Stand in for the Head Groundskeeper when required.

Skills

Mowing

Divoting

Irrigation system operation

Good communication skills

Education

Full Driving Licence

NVQ level 3 in sports turf or equivalent

Job description

Location: Sheffield United Training Ground Facilities, Shirecliffe

Department: Facilities (Grounds)

Salary: £28,700.00 per annum

Post Reference: BL062026-PDHG

Sheffield United Football Club is seeking an experienced, organised Deputy Head Groundskeeper to join the Facilities Department at the Club's Shirecliffe Training Ground. This role plays an important part in maintaining the highest standards across the training pitches and surrounding grounds, helping to provide an environment that enables players and staff to perform at their best.

Role Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning and execution for the maintenance of all pitches, landscaping, cleanliness and general appearance of the allocated site.
• Responsible for the general maintenance of plant and equipment used, ensuring statutory standards are met and all equipment is correctly maintained and serviced.
• Responsible for the supervision of staff allocated permanently and temporarily to work at the site within your remit.
• Stand in for the Head Groundskeeper during periods of absence and cover for other Deputy Head Groundskeeper at other sites where required.
• Attend and work Match days when required.
• Attend and supervise supplier visits and surveys in order to provide the local knowledge where required.
• Prioritise safety and act with due regard for the well‑being of all staff and the public.
• Observe and report any items of equipment or work situation which is considered to be of an unsafe nature.
• Attend training courses as required and in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Observe and report on occasions of abuse, or the need for repairs and additional maintenance of any area of work.
• Train, develop, and motivate staff to continuously develop their technical skills and user relations.
• Supervise staff, especially trainees and apprentices to ensure standards of work and safety are achieved and maintained.
• Any other tasks as deemed reasonable by management.
• Adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club's Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• Report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club's Safeguarding agenda.
• Report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• Adhere to the Club's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all‑encompassing.
• Carry out and actively participate in all training requests as directed by the Club, including mandatory health and safety training, emergency procedures, fire safety, manual handling, safeguarding, and role‑specific safety instruction.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• Full Driving Licence.
• Experience in the management and execution of Mowing, Divoting, Mowing, Marking out, Fertilizing, Aeration of the pitches.
• Proven track record of maintenance of stadium pitches and staff management.
• Experience daily machinery checking and logging.
• Experience of operating irrigation system.
• Good communication and management skills.
• Good understanding of Pitch grow light safe deployment and operation.
• Completion of a basic DBS Check upon offer acceptance.

Desirable Criteria for the Role

• Spraying certification.
• NVQ level 3 in sports turf or equivalent.
• Practical experience of managing a wide range of fine turf surfaces such as bowling, tennis and cricket.
• Experience in managing and maintaining grass hybrid pitches as well as 3G & 4G pitches.
• Understanding of FA, Premier League and EFL Pitch and matchday requirements and operations.

Closing date: Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Please note that in the instance of high volumes of applications we may close this vacancy earlier than the closing date noted above.

Eligibility for employment in the UK

In accordance with current legislative requirements the successful applicant must produce documentary verification of their eligibility to work in the UK and will not be allowed to start work until this has been received.

Equality and diversity

Sheffield United FC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

Safer recruitment

Sheffield United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK. For further information on the Club's Safeguarding Statement please access the following link:

sufc.co.uk/club/policies /safeguarding-policy