Head of Grounds & Environmental Services

AD WARRIOR; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent town council in the UK seeks a Head of Grounds & Environmental Services to lead initiatives focused on enhancing parks and public spaces. The role involves managing a significant service budget while driving innovation and community engagement. The successful candidate will have extensive management experience and a passion for environmental sustainability. This full-time permanent position offers generous benefits, including a local government pension scheme and considerable annual leave, making it an exciting opportunity for strategic leaders.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (17.8% employer contribution)

Generous annual leave (up to 33 days plus bank holidays)

Wellbeing initiatives and professional development support

Qualifications

• Substantial management experience in grounds or environmental services.
• Strong financial and project management skills.
• A passion for green and open spaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead a £1.7m service budget and capital programmes.
• Protect and enhance award-winning parks and open spaces.
• Drive innovation and income through external contracts.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Project management

Community engagement

Environmental sustainability

Job description

Role: Head of Grounds & Environmental Services

Lead the Future of Award‑Winning Parks and Open Spaces in One of the UK’s Most Ambitious Town Councils.

Salary: £64,374 – £72,307 | Permanent, Full‑time | Dunstable, Bedfordshire

The Town Council is one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious town councils. With a £4m budget, 80 staff and a portfolio of award‑winning parks, open spaces and community assets, they are recognised nationally through Britain in Bloom and Green Flag awards. They are passionate about their town, resourceful and financially astute, and proud to deliver ambitiously and responsibly for their community — with the scope to invest and innovate in ways that continually improve wellbeing, sustainability and civic pride.

They are now seeking a strategic and inspirational Head of Grounds & Environmental Services to join their senior management team and help shape the future of Dunstable.

Why join them?

• Shape strategy at scale: Lead a £1.7m service budget and capital programmes up to £5m, translating corporate priorities into operational plans with real impact – including the creation of a new cemetery to meet future community needs.
• Champion green and open spaces: Protect and enhance award‑winning parks and open spaces, starting with their 2026 Britain in Bloom campaign, along with Green Flag management plans with a clear ambition to retain national recognition through 2027 and beyond.
• Drive innovation and income: Harness opportunities, external contracts and funding to expand what they can deliver for residents.
• Deliver ambitiously and responsibly: Work in a council empowered to invest and innovate, continually improving services that matter most to their community.

About you

They’re looking for a strategic leader with:

• Substantial management experience in grounds, environmental or related services.
• Strong financial and project management skills, with proven ability to deliver value for money, and maximise the impact of budgets and capital programmes.
• A passion for green and open spaces, with the vision to inspire civic pride.
• The confidence to represent the Council nationally and build strong partnerships locally, acting as a visible and approachable leader.

Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme (17.8% employer contribution).
• Generous annual leave (up to 33 days plus bank holidays).
• Wellbeing initiatives, staff discounts, volunteering days and professional development support.

Join them and help to lead one of the UK’s most ambitious town councils — where strategy, civic pride and passion for their community come together.

Closing date: Applications must be submitted by 5pm, 20th January 2026.

The assessment process will be over two-stages with interviews taking place over week commencing 2 February 2026 (first stage) and week commencing 9 February 2026 (second stage). Candidates can expect to undertake additional tasks such as a presentation and/or leadership assessment as part of the process.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Town Council, please do not hesitate to apply.