Green Spaces Manager

Service Care Solutions Ltd; Esher; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Service Care Solutions Ltd is seeking a Green Spaces Manager to lead the Council’s parks and open spaces, directing strategic development and day-to-day operations.

You will oversee multi-disciplinary teams, manage contracts and budgets, and collaborate with councillors, community groups and external partners to ensure safe, accessible and high-quality green spaces.

Qualifications

• Significant management experience within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven experience managing landscape, parks or grounds maintenance contracts.
• Strong contract management, procurement and budget management experience.
• Experience of project and change management.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver works and projects to deadlines.
• Experience working with Councillors, community groups, residents and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of legislation, health and safety and industry best practice relating to parks and green spaces.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and performance-management abilities.
• The ability to lead, motivate and develop staff at all levels.
• A highly organised, adaptable and proactive management style.
• Competence using IT systems and the ability to learn bespoke systems.
• A full UK driving license and access to your own transport during working hours.
• A relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, together with evidence of continuing professional development, would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and strategic development of the Council’s Green Spaces service.
• Oversee parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, commons and countryside services, cemeteries, allotments and war memorials.
• Manage and develop a team, setting clear objectives, performance targets and development plans.
• Manage and monitor contracts for grounds maintenance, ensuring value for money and high-quality services.
• Lead on procurement activity, including reviewing contracts, tenders and documentation.
• Monitor contractor performance and work with service providers to deliver results.
• Manage revenue and capital budgets and contribute to significant capital projects and new facilities.
• Collaborate with Councillors, residents, community groups and external agencies to improve services.
• Liaise with county councils, police and environmental agencies to keep spaces safe and welcoming.
• Ensure services comply with legislation, health and safety and industry best practice.
• Prepare reports, programmes, budgets and information as required.
• Support management of unauthorised encampments and moorings on Council land.
• Promote green spaces and healthy community participation.
• Attend Council, committee, stakeholder and partnership meetings as required.

Skills

Team leadership

Contract management

Budget management

Procurement

Stakeholder engagement

Health & safety

IT systems literacy

Driving licence

Public sector experience

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Green Spaces Manager Location: Esher, Surrey Contract: Temporary Hours: 36 hours per week Pay: £248.20 per day PAYE | £326.39 per day Umbrella Working Arrangement: Hybrid working available Driving: Full UK driving license and access to your own vehicle required DBS: Basic DBS check requiredService Care Solutions are currently recruiting for an experienced Green Spaces Manager to join a local authority on a temporary basis. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced green spaces, parks, landscape or environmental services professional to take responsibility for the management and strategic development of a broad range of public-facing green space services. The successful candidate will lead a multidisciplinary service covering parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, countryside sites, cemeteries, allotments and war memorials, while working closely with contractors, residents, community groups, Councillors and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery and strategic development of the Council’s Green Spaces service, ensuring high-quality and customer-focused provision.
• Oversee parks, recreation grounds, open spaces, commons and countryside services, cemeteries, allotments and war memorials.
• Manage and develop a team, setting clear objectives, performance targets and personal development plans.
• Manage and monitor green spaces and grounds maintenance contracts, ensuring effective performance and continuous improvement.
• Lead on procurement activity, including reviewing contract documentation, tendering processes and moderation of tenders.
• Monitor contractor performance and work collaboratively with service providers to deliver value for money and high-quality services.
• Manage revenue and capital budgets and contribute to the delivery of significant capital projects and new facilities.
• Work closely with local Councillors, residents, community groups and external agencies to develop and improve services.
• Liaise with partners including county councils, police and environmental agencies to ensure green spaces remain safe, accessible and welcoming.
• Ensure services comply with relevant legislation, health and safety requirements, industry best practice and organisational policies.
• Prepare reports, programmes, business information and budgets as required.
• Support the management of unauthorised encampments and unauthorised moorings on Council-owned land.
• Promote the use of green spaces and encourage healthy lifestyles and community participation.
• Attend relevant Council, committee, stakeholder and partnership meetings as required.

About You

We are looking for a confident and experienced manager with a strong background in green spaces, parks, landscape, grounds maintenance or a related public-sector environment. You should have:

• Significant management experience within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven experience managing landscape, parks or grounds maintenance contracts.
• Strong contract management, procurement and budget management experience.
• Experience of project and change management.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver works and projects to deadlines.
• Experience working with Councillors, community groups, residents and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of legislation, health and safety and industry best practice relating to parks and green spaces.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and performance-management abilities.
• The ability to lead, motivate and develop staff at all levels.
• A highly organised, adaptable and proactive management style.
• Competence using IT systems and the ability to learn bespoke systems.
• A full UK driving license and access to your own transport during working hours.
• A relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, together with evidence of continuing professional development, would be advantageous.

Additional Requirements

The role may occasionally require working outside normal hours, including evenings, weekends and callouts.

A basic DBS clearance will be required.