Head Grounds Person (Chelmsford City Racecourse)

Arena Racing Company; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual venue passes

Discounted food

Cycle to work

Holiday up to 28 days

Life assurance

Bonus schemes

Study assistance

Job summary

Arena Racing Company is seeking an experienced Head Grounds Person to maintain a high-quality racing surface year-round and uphold the presentation across the racecourse concourse. You will lead the Grounds Team and oversee maintenance of lawns, trees, and equipment to support race days and events.

The role requires strong leadership, knowledge of grounds maintenance, and a proactive approach to safety and environment, with a focus on delivering top-notch presentation across ARC venues.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing a Grounds Team.
• Experience maintaining and preparing a racing surface or similar sports surface.
• Strong knowledge of grounds maintenance, machinery and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a planned maintenance programme for the all-weather racing surface and surrounding areas.
• Prepare and maintain the racing surface for racing, including harrowing, levelling, grading, grooming, rolling and surface replenishment.
• Maintain presentation of areas adjacent to the racing surface, including mowing, strimming, cleaning of the running rail and track surrounds.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Grounds maintenance

Racing surface knowledge

Health and safety

Budget planning

Attention to detail

Tools

Grounds machinery

Mowing equipment

Harrows/Grading equipment

Job description

About us…

Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UK’s largest horse racing group. We have 22 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and global distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work!

Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression. After all, it’s our employees that enable us to offer first class service and create an electric atmosphere, all within an industry we love.

What is ARC?

We embrace diversity. We develop our people. We care for our visitors. We think about our impact. We are proud of our sport.

Work Perks of being a Head Grounds Person...

• Annual passes to attend any of our 22 venues
• Discounted food & ARC days out
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 28 days
• Company life assurance scheme
• Discretionary group annual bonus schemes to reward your hard work
• Support with study through our study assistance schemes

And so much more…

About the role:

As Head Grounds Person you will aim to maintain a quality racing surface all year round as well as maintaining all racing areas and the wider racecourse concourse to the highest possible standard of presentation. You will also assist, when available, with the maintenance of buildings and equipment as well as assisting in the operational aspects of Racedays and other Racecourse Events.

Key responsibilities of a Head Grounds Person (please see JD for full list of responsibilities)

• Carry out a planned maintenance programme for the all-weather racing surface and surrounding areas, including regular inspection and record keeping.
• Prepare and maintain the racing surface for racing, including harrowing, levelling, grading, grooming, rolling and redistribution/replenishment of surface material as required.
• Maintain the presentation of areas adjacent to the racing surface, including mowing, strimming, cleaning of the running rail and general upkeep of the track surrounds.
• Maintain all Lawns and Parade Rings, trees, hedges, shrubs and flowers with particular attention to Raceday presentation.
• Responsible for the general maintenance of outside areas including car parks, tracks, ambulance track, tarmac areas and horsebox park.
• Ensure all course machinery and equipment is maintained in safe working order and organise repairs and replacements where and when necessary.
• Monitor weather conditions and forecasts and take appropriate preventative and remedial action to protect the racing surface and infrastructure.
• In conjunction with the Clerk of the Course, manage the Grounds Team, including briefing, supervising and assisting staff in their duties.
• Ensure all staff comply with all statutory procedures and company rules and comply with regulations and safe working practices.
• Liaise with the Racecourse Office regarding Non Racing Events especially where areas of your responsibility may be involved.

The person we are looking for as a Head Grounds Person has….

• Experience of leading, supervising and developing a Grounds Team.
• Experience of maintaining and preparing a racing surface or similar sports surface.
• Strong knowledge of grounds maintenance, machinery and equipment.
• The ability to monitor weather conditions and take appropriate preventative and remedial action.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan and manage maintenance programmes and budgets.
• A proactive approach to health, safety and environmental management.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to maintaining high standards of presentation.

We are on a thrilling journey. So, to join us at our next destination, be part of a winning team and to learn more about our company and this exciting opportunity.

At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences.We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignMent, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.