Grounds Manager

Local Government South East; Horndean; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Local Government South East in Horndean is seeking an experienced Grounds Manager to lead our grounds, open spaces and environmental services. You will be a member of the Senior Management Team, shaping strategies and delivering high quality public spaces.

You will manage a small team and contractors, develop plans, budgets and funding opportunities, and drive biodiversity and safe, well-maintained recreation areas for residents and schools.

Qualifications

• Lead grounds maintenance, open space and environmental management programmes.
• Develop management plans and maintenance schedules.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and environmental improvement.
• Manage the grounds team and contractors, seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Oversee parks, play areas and council-owned land.
• Drive biodiversity and sustainable land management.
• Ensure facilities are maintained safely and to a high standard.
• Engage residents and community organisations in open spaces.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership across grounds, open spaces and environmental services.
• Lead development and delivery of maintenance programmes and improvement projects.
• Coordinate contractors, seasonal resources and volunteers.
• Oversee budget planning and revenue/capital aspects of the programme.
• Advise councillors and committees on land and facilities management.

Skills

Grounds management

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Contractor management

Job description

37 hours per week | Permanent

Help us shape the future of our parks, open spaces and recreational facilities. We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Grounds Manager to join our Senior Management Team at an exciting time for the Council.

• Full Time
• Permanent
• Horndean
• 36581 - 40444 £ / Year
• Closes: 2 November 2026

Scale Range 24-28 (£36,581-£40,444)

What You'll Be Doing

As a member of the Council's Senior Management Team, you will provide professional and operational leadership across our grounds, open spaces and environmental services.

You Will

• Lead the development and delivery of grounds maintenance, open space and environmental management programmes.
• Develop management plans, maintenance schedules and improvement programmes across the Council's land and community assets.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, investment, environmental enhancement and service improvement.
• Lead and develop our grounds team, including three direct reports, while coordinating contractors, seasonal resources and volunteers.
• Oversee the management of parks, recreation grounds, nature reserves, amenity areas, play areas and other Council-owned land.
• Drive improvements in biodiversity, habitat management, woodland management and environmental sustainability.
• Ensure recreational facilities and play areas are maintained safely and to a high standard.
• Develop opportunities for residents, schools, volunteers and community organisations to become involved in our open spaces.
• Manage contracts and contribute to revenue and capital budget planning.
• Identify external funding, grants and environmental stewardship opportunities to help deliver improvements.
• Act as a professional adviser to the Council and provide reports and recommendations to councillors and relevant committees.

The Opportunity

This role offers the successful candidate the chance to make a visible and lasting difference. You will be joining at a point when the Council is looking closely at how we manage, maintain and invest in our land and recreational assets, with an ambition to develop a more coordinated, professional and sustainable approach.

We want our green spaces to deliver more for our community: places for recreation and play, opportunities to support health and wellbeing, environments where biodiversity can thrive, and spaces which residents can enjoy and take pride in.

You will have the opportunity to bring forward ideas, develop improvement programmes and business cases, explore new funding opportunities and help translate the Council's ambitions into practical action on the ground.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong practical knowledge with confident leadership and a strategic outlook. You will be comfortable managing people and operational services, but equally able to step back, identify opportunities and advise the Council on how its land and facilities can be managed better.

You are likely to bring experience in areas such as grounds management, parks and open spaces, countryside or environmental management, recreation, horticulture or a related field.

Most Importantly, You Will Be Someone Who

• Is proactive, organised and solutions focused.
• Can lead, motivate and develop staff and volunteers.
• Has a strong understanding of safe and effective land and grounds management.
• Is passionate about delivering high-quality public spaces.
• Understands the importance of biodiversity and sustainable land management.
• Can manage contractors, projects and budgets effectively.
• Can build productive relationships with councillors, residents, community organisations and professional partners.
• Is confident developing ideas and turning them into deliverable improvement projects.
• Brings a positive, collaborative 'can-do' approach to leadership.

Why join us?

This is not simply a role about maintaining what we have. It is an opportunity to influence what comes next.

You will have the scope to help establish a strong, modern approach to the management of the Council's land portfolio and recreational facilities, balancing excellent day-to-day delivery with longer-term investment, environmental responsibility and community benefit.

If you are excited by the prospect of taking ownership of a varied portfolio, developing a team and helping us create safer, greener, more sustainable and better-used public spaces, we would love to hear from you.

The role is 37 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, with occasional evening meetings where required. Time off in lieu is provided in accordance with Council policies.

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 2nd November 2026

Interviews: Monday 9th November 2026

We welcome applications from candidates who share our ambition for high-quality public spaces and want to play an active role in shaping their future.