Grounds Manager

shangang Keji Industrial CO LTD; Buckhurst Hill; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation

Job summary

Knight Education is seeking a Grounds Manager for a leading independent school in North East London. The role starts November 2026 and is a full-time, permanent position with accommodation.

The successful candidate will lead a Grounds Team responsible for maintaining sports pitches, lawns and gardens, and will manage budgets and contractor supervision. Professional grounds qualifications are expected.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in grounds maintenance and sports turf management.
• Ability to lead a team and manage budgets.
• Relevant professional qualification such as Sports Turf Operative Level 3 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and organise the Grounds Team and workload to meet Sports Department needs.
• Manage the grounds budget and supervise contractors.
• Ensure high standards across main site and playing fields with proactive maintenance.
• Prepare, maintain and quality-control high‑quality sports pitches and facilities.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Sports turf management

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

Sports Turf Operative Level 3

Job description

Role: Grounds Manager

Ensure you read the information regarding this opportunity thoroughly before making an application.

Start Date: November 2026

Location: North East London/Essex borders

Contract Term: Permanent

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 (with accommodation)

A leading and thriving independent school in North East London, close to Essex is seeking a Grounds Manager from November 2026. This is a full time and permanent position.

The Grounds Manager will lead and manage the School's extensive external grounds, including sports pitches, lawns, gardens and associated outdoor facilities. The successful candidate will take ownership of the day-to-day management and presentation of the School's grounds, ensuring that consistently high standards are achieved across both the main school site and the playing fields. A proactive approach to grounds maintenance, sports turf management and facility improvement will be essential.

A key responsibility of the role will be to lead, organise and prioritise the Grounds Team and its workload, ensuring that resources are effectively deployed to meet the requirements of the Sports Department. The ability to manage and control the grounds budget, and supervise contractors is essential.

The role requires an experienced individual with a strong practical knowledge of grounds maintenance and, in particular, the preparation and maintenance of high-quality sports pitches.

The successful candidate will be flexible, well organised and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider team. A relevant professional qualification is expected, such as Sports Turf Operative Level 3 or equivalent.

Knight Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants for the post must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including reference checks with previous employers and an enhanced DBS check