Head Groundsman

Recruit Genie; St Albans; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & Development

Wellbeing platform

Health care cash plan

Discounted food & beverage

Spa discounts

Refer a Friend bonus

Global staff rates

Staff meals & parking

Job summary

Sopwell House in Hertfordshire is seeking a proactive Head Groundsman to lead the Grounds Team, plan daily and seasonal tasks, and keep the estate looking exceptional. You will oversee lawn care, hedge trimming, planting, irrigation and safety compliance, working closely with Maintenance and hotel operations to deliver outstanding outdoor spaces year-round.

Experience in managing grounds teams, practical knowledge of estate maintenance, and a hands-on approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading, organising or supervising a grounds or gardening team.
• Strong practical knowledge of grounds maintenance including lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting and estate upkeep.
• Hands-on approach with ability to plan and prioritise workloads while maintaining high standards.
• Experience using and maintaining grounds equipment and light machinery.
• Good knowledge of Health & Safety requirements and safe working practices including COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Grounds Team, ensuring daily and seasonal tasks are effectively planned, prioritised and completed to a high standard.
• Oversee the maintenance and presentation of the hotel grounds, including grass cutting, lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning and general grounds upkeep.
• Maintain ornamental beds, apartment gardens and planted containers, including seasonal planting, deadheading, weeding, staking, feeding and watering.
• Monitor the health of plants and trees, taking appropriate action to keep grounds healthy and well presented.
• Maintain the hotel pond and other water features and carry out regular checks of the irrigation system.
• Ensure pathways, car parks, hard surfaces and surrounding grounds are kept clean, tidy and free from litter, leaves and branches.
• Ensure grounds are prepared to a high standard for hotel events, working with Maintenance Team as required.
• Use and maintain grounds equipment safely (mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers), and store equipment securely.
• Maintain safe working practices, following Health & Safety and COSHH requirements, including seasonal duties like gritting and snow clearance when necessary.

Skills

Grounds management

Team leadership

Lawn care

Hedge trimming

Pruning

Planting

Health & Safety

COSHH

Mowers

Strimmers

Leaf blower

Tools

Mowers

Strimmers

Leaf blower

Job description

Head Groundsman

Full-Time Position - Competitive Salary (depending on experience)

Your country home from home nestled in 12 acres of Hertfordshire countryside. Sopwell House is a luxurious 5-star, family-owned Georgian country house hotel offering timeless elegance and modern comfort. We’re proud to be a place where exceptional service is delivered with warmth, pride and purpose.

At Sopwell House, we live by our Vision, Purpose and Values.

We are dedicated to creating a world of ‘Perfect Contentment’ for both our team member and guests alike. ‘Spreading kindness one act at a time’ along the way. Our team pride themselves on ‘Performing with Drive and Soul’ in everything we do.

As Head Groundsman, you will lead the Grounds Team in maintaining and improving our outdoor spaces, ensuring our gardens and grounds are beautifully presented throughout the seasons. Working closely with the Maintenance Manager and wider hotel team, you will organise and prioritise the team’s workload while remaining hands‑on in the day‑to‑day upkeep of the estate.

Your role in our family:

• Lead and manage the Grounds Team, ensuring daily and seasonal tasks are effectively planned, prioritised and completed to a high standard.
• Oversee the maintenance and presentation of the hotel grounds, including grass cutting, lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning and general grounds upkeep.
• Maintain ornamental beds, apartment gardens and planted containers, including seasonal planting, deadheading, weeding, staking, feeding and watering.
• Monitor the health of plants and trees, taking appropriate action when required to ensure the grounds remain healthy and beautifully presented throughout the year.
• Maintain the hotel pond and other water features and carry out regular checks of the irrigation system.
• Ensure pathways, car parks, hard surfaces and surrounding grounds are kept clean, tidy and free from litter, leaves and branches at all times.
• Ensure the grounds are prepared to a high standard for hotel events, working collaboratively with the Maintenance Team and wider hotel operation when required.
• Use and maintain grounds equipment and machinery safely, including mowers, strimmers and leaf blower, ensuing equipment is cleaned and securely stored after use.
• Maintain safe working practices at all times, following Health & Safety and COSHH requirements, and carry out seasonal duties such as gritting, salt spreading and snow clearance when necessary.

What would make you the perfect fit?

• Previous experience leading, organising or supervising a grounds or gardening team
• Strong practical knowledge of grounds, maintenance, including lawn care, hedge trimming, pruning, planting and general estate upkeep
• A hands‑on approach and the ability to plan and prioritise workloads while maintaining consistently high standards.
• Experience using and maintaining grounds equipment and light machinery
• Good knowledge of Health & Safety requirements and safe working practices, including COSHH
• Excellent attention to detail with pride in maintaining outdoor spaces to a high standard.
• A proactive, reliable and self‑motivated approach, with the flexibility to work according to the operational needs of the hotel

The best bit:

• Learning and Development: Access our digital learning platform, and various courses to enhance your knowledge and skills
• Health & Wellbeing: Benefit from our interactive health and wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Program
• Health care cash plans: take advantage of our Health Care cash plan benefits, including 24-hour access to a GP
• Discounted food and beverage, accommodation and spa for you and your family
• Discounts on Spa treatments and Spa days in our award‑winning Cottonmill Spa
• Discount on Spa products
• Refer a Friend Scheme: earn up to £1,000 referral fee when you recommend someone to work with us
• Preferred Hotel Group discounted global hotel rates
• Free staff meals and parking

Equal Opportunities

We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know at [e-mail]

Right to Work

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Proof of documentation will be required in line with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

Next Steps

If you’re shortlisted, we’ll give you a quick call to learn more about you and answer your questions. Candidates who progress will then be invited to the hotel for an in-person interview.

We review applications as they come in. We may close the role once we’ve found the right person.