Grounds and Landscapes Manager

University-of-Salford; Salford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Salford is seeking an experienced Grounds & Landscape Manager to lead the external estate across campuses. You will drive landscape enhancement, biodiversity and environmental performance while managing budgets, contracts and teams to deliver safe, attractive outdoor spaces for students and staff.

Reporting to Estates & Facilities leadership, you will shape year-round grounds programmes and collaborate with internal and external partners to realise sustainable campus environments.

Qualifications

• Experience leading grounds/landscape teams in large multi-site environments.
• Strong track record in capital projects and landscape improvement.
• Experience with biodiversity, sustainability and green infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Grounds & Landscape team (Team Leader + Landscapers).
• Plan and oversee year-round grounds maintenance, horticultural and landscaping programmes.
• Oversight of budgets, procurement, contracts and service providers.
• Support design/delivery of new-build/refurbishment projects through RIBA stages.
• Maintain health and safety standards and safe operation of grounds machinery.
• Monitor quality via inspections, audits and performance management.
• Develop skills and capability of the Grounds & Landscape team.
• Collaborate with Sustainability, Building Managers and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Procurement

Stakeholder management

Health and safety

Education

Level 3 qualification in Horticulture/Landscape Management

Job description

Opportunity Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Estates & Facilities team as Grounds & Landscape Manager, taking responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the University’s grounds, landscapes, sports facilities and public realm.

This is a key role with the opportunity to make a visible impact across our estate. You will lead the development and day-to-day management of our external environment, ensuring our campuses are safe, attractive, welcoming and sustainable, while driving improvements in landscape quality, biodiversity and environmental performance.

Note this opportunity may close early depending on application volumes.

The role

Reporting to the Head of FM & Property Services, you will lead our Grounds & Landscape team, comprising a Team Leader and six Landscapers, providing strong leadership, technical expertise and clear direction.

You will plan and oversee year-round grounds maintenance, horticultural and landscaping programmes, while looking beyond day-to-day delivery to identify opportunities to enhance our campus environment and create high-quality external spaces for students, colleagues, visitors, and the wider community.

You will also:

• Lead landscape enhancement, biodiversity, green infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.
• Manage budgets, procurement activities, contractors, suppliers and service contracts, ensuring value for money.
• Support the planning, design and delivery of new-build and refurbishment projects through relevant RIBA stages.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety and operational compliance.
• Oversee the safe management of grounds machinery, vehicles, tools, chemicals and equipment.
• Monitor standards through inspections, quality audits and performance management.
• Develop the skills, competence and capability of the Grounds & Landscape team.
• Work collaboratively with Sustainability, Building Managers, Building Services, Security, academic colleagues and external partners.

About you

We are looking for an experienced and proactive grounds or landscape professional who can combine strong operational knowledge with effective leadership and a genuine ambition to improve the quality and sustainability of our external estate.

You will bring significant experience of grounds maintenance, horticulture or landscape management within a large and/or multi-site environment, together with a strong track record of leading and developing operational teams.

You will have experience in areas including:

• Landscape improvement and capital projects.
• Environmental sustainability, biodiversity, or net-zero initiatives.
• Budget and financial management.
• Procurement and contract management.
• Health and safety, including risk assessment, COSHH, PUWER and safe systems of work.
• Management and safe operation of grounds machinery, vehicles, and equipment.
• Working effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

You will also hold a Level 3 qualification or equivalent in Horticulture, Landscape Management, Arboriculture, Grounds Maintenance or a related discipline, an appropriate health and safety qualification such as NEBOSH National General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely, and PA1 and PA6 Pesticide Application Certificates or equivalent.

If you are an experienced grounds and landscape professional with strong leadership skills, who enjoys combining hands‑on operational, while developing a grounds service that increasingly embraces biodiversity, biophilic design, green infrastructure, and long‑term environmental sustainability, we would love to hear from you.

Job Description