Head of Grounds & Environmental Services

Council HR and Governance Support; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A local town council in Dunstable seeks a Head of Grounds & Environmental Services to lead vital initiatives aimed at enhancing public parks and green spaces. You will manage substantial budgets, champion civic pride, and drive innovation in community services. Required qualifications include significant management experience and strong financial acumen. The role offers competitive benefits, including a generous pension scheme and professional development opportunities. The closing date for applications is January 20, 2026.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (26.8% 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 with value for money.
• Vision to inspire civic pride through green and open spaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead a £1.7m service budget and large capital programmes.
• Protect and enhance award-winning parks and open spaces.
• Drive innovation and harness funding opportunities for community.

Skills

Management experience

Financial management

Project management

Leadership skills

Passion for green spaces

Job description

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

Role: Head of Grounds & Environmental Services

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

Dunstable 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, we are recognised nationally through Britain in Bloom and Green Flag awards. We are passionate about our town, resourceful and financially astute, and proud to deliver ambitiously and responsibly for our community — with the scope to invest and innovate in ways that continually improve wellbeing, sustainability and civic pride.

Why join us?

• 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 our 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 we can deliver for residents.
• Deliver ambitiously and responsibly: Work in a council empowered to invest and innovate, continually improving services that matter most to our community.

About you

• 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 Dunstable nationally and build strong partnerships locally, acting as a visible and approachable leader.

Benefits

• Local Government Pension Scheme (26.8% employer contribution).
• Generous annual leave (up to 33 days plus bank holidays).
• Wellbeing initiatives, staff discounts, volunteering days and professional development support.

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

How to apply

Email [e-mail] for a candidate pack and application form (CVs not accepted).

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.