Head Of Grounds & Environmental Services

Dunstable Town Council; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent local council in Dunstable is looking for a strategic leader as Head of Grounds & Environmental Services. This permanent, full-time role involves managing a substantial service budget, enhancing parks and open spaces, and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Candidates should have significant management experience, a strong financial acumen, and a passion for environmental sustainability. Benefits include a Local Government Pension Scheme, generous leave, and professional development support.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (17.8% employer contribution)

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

Wellbeing initiatives

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Substantial management experience in grounds, environmental or related services.
• Strong financial and project management skills.
• A passion for green and open spaces.
• Confidence to represent the council nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead a £1.7m service budget and capital programmes.
• Protect and enhance award-winning parks and open spaces.
• Drive innovation and harness external contracts.
• Continually improve services that matter most to the community.

Skills

Management experience

Financial management

Project management

Public relations

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.

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

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

We'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 Dunstable 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 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.

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

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 Dunstable Town Council, please do not hesitate to apply.