Hound Parish Council - Operations Manager

Hampshire Association of Local Councils; Hound, Butlocks Heath; Remote; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary (SCP 24–28)

37-hour week

Lead role in facilities

Professional development & training

Job summary

Hound Parish Council is seeking an Operations Manager to lead its grounds and facilities services. You will manage three grounds staff, coordinate maintenance and safety, and oversee contractors to ensure assets are well-maintained and compliant.

Reporting to the Parish Clerk, you will help plan budgets and service delivery for the parish facilities. This office-based role requires experience in local government or public-sector facilities, with strong leadership, project management and IT

Qualifications

• Experience of managing and supervising staff, grounds or facilities operations.
• Knowledge of estates and facilities management, planned and reactive maintenance, and public spaces management.
• Health and safety legislation, risk assessments, COSHH, PPE and safe systems of work.
• Experience in managing projects, contracts, quotations and budgets.
• Strong leadership and communication, prioritising workloads.
• Good IT skills and record-keeping for reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the three Grounds Staff, allocating workloads and coordinating programmes of work.
• Manage maintenance of Council buildings, facilities, recreation grounds, play areas, allotments and burial ground.
• Plan and oversee routine, seasonal, planned and reactive maintenance; ensure safety and accessibility.
• Oversee contractors, service providers and maintenance contracts; monitor costs and timescales.
• Manage health and safety, risk assessments and compliance; maintain records.
• Coordinate projects; obtain quotations and monitor progress.
• Monitor asset condition; plan future maintenance and investments.
• Manage budgets; support budget preparation and ensure value for money.
• Oversee vehicles, plant and equipment; ensure servicing and safety checks.
• Provide operational reports and recommendations to Parish Clerk and committees.
• Respond to enquiries about facilities; maintain service standards.

Skills

Staff supervision

Facilities operations

Budget management

Health and safety

Project coordination

IT/record keeping

Driving licence

Public sector experience

Education

GCSE English/Maths C/4+

IOSH Managing Safely / equivalent

Health & safety qualifications

Tools

MS Office / reporting tools

Job description

Hound Parish Council - Operations Manager

Name of recruiting organisation

Hound Parish Council

Employed

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent

Location:

This role is office based.Hound Parish covers the villages of Netley Abbey and Butlocks Heath.

Hours:

37 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, with occasional evening meetings and weekends, where required. Time off in lieu is provided in accordance with Council policies.

Our council and the role:

Hound Parish Council serves the parish by maintaining local facilities, public open spaces and community assets, including recreation grounds, play areas, allotments, woodland, buildings and the burial ground. The Council works to ensure these facilities remain safe, accessible, well-maintained and available for residents and community groups to enjoy.

The new Operations Manager role will provide dedicated operational leadership for the Council’s grounds and facilities services, directly managing three grounds staff and coordinating maintenance, contractors, health and safety, compliance and improvement projects. Reporting to the Parish Clerk, the role will help ensure the Council’s assets are managed effectively, work is properly planned, budgets are used efficiently and services continue to meet the needs of the local community.

Duties will include:

• Lead and supervise the Council’s three Grounds Staff, allocating workloads and coordinating programmes of work.
• Manage the maintenance of Council buildings, facilities, recreation grounds, play areas, allotments, woodland, amenity areas and burial ground.
• Plan and coordinate routine, seasonal, planned and reactive maintenance to ensure Council assets are safe, accessible and maintained to an appropriate standard.
• Oversee contractors, service providers and maintenance contracts, monitoring work quality, costs and timescales.
• Manage operational health and safety, risk assessments, safe systems of work, inspections and statutory compliance.
• Coordinate maintenance, refurbishment and improvement projects, including preparing specifications, obtaining quotations and monitoring progress.
• Monitor the condition of Council assets and identify future maintenance, repair, replacement and investment requirements.
• Manage operational expenditure within approved budgets, support budget preparation and ensure value for money.
• Oversee the Council’s grounds maintenance vehicles, plant, machinery, tools and equipment, ensuring appropriate servicing and safety checks.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance, inspections, operational activities and compliance requirements.
• Provide operational reports, advice and recommendations to the Parish Clerk, Council and relevant committees.
• Work with the Parish Clerk and office team to respond to enquiries and complaints relating to Council facilities, grounds and operational services.

The ideal candidate will have/be:

Essential skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Experience of managing and supervising staff, grounds or facilities operations, contractors and maintenance programmes.
• Good knowledge of estates and facilities management, planned and reactive maintenance, and the management of buildings and public open spaces.
• Knowledge of health and safety legislation, risk assessments, COSHH, PPE and safe systems of work.
• Experience of managing projects, contracts, quotations and operational budgets.
• Strong leadership, organisational, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing demands.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records, prepare reports and provide recommendations.
• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths, or equivalent demonstrable skills
• Recognised health and safety training, such as IOSH Managing Safely, CIEH or equivalent.
• Full clean driving licence.
• Experience of working in local government, a parish or town council, or another public-sector environment.
• Experience of asset management, planned maintenance programmes, play area inspections, tree management, burial grounds or memorial safety.
• Knowledge of fire safety, asbestos management, Legionella prevention, statutory testing and other facilities compliance requirements.
• Relevant qualifications in estates or facilities management, horticulture, grounds maintenance, health and safety, a trade or project management.
• Experience of managing vehicles, plant, equipment, building works or refurbishment projects.
• Strong commitment to public service, customer care, continuous improvement and professional development.

Desirable skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Experience of working in local government, a parish or town council, or another public-sector environment.
• Experience of asset management, planned maintenance programmes, play area inspections, tree management, burial grounds or memorial safety.
• Knowledge of fire safety, asbestos management, Legionella prevention, statutory testing and other facilities compliance requirements.
• Relevant qualifications in estates or facilities management, horticulture, grounds maintenance, health and safety, a trade or project management.
• Experience of managing vehicles, plant, equipment, building works or refurbishment projects.
• Strong commitment to public service, customer care, continuous improvement and professional development.

What we offer you in return:

• Competitive salary at SCP 24–28, reflecting the responsibility and scope of the role.
• A full-time, 37-hour working week, Monday to Friday, with occasional flexibility required for evening, weekend and bank holiday working.
• The opportunity to take a lead role in maintaining and improving the parish’s buildings, grounds, recreation facilities and community assets.
• The opportunity to lead and develop a small, dedicated grounds team and make a visible difference to the local community.
• A varied and rewarding role combining practical operational management, staff leadership, project delivery and long-term asset planning.
• The opportunity to work closely with the Parish Clerk, office team and Councillors, contributing to decisions about the future management and improvement of local facilities.
• Opportunities for relevant training, professional development and the development of skills across estates, facilities and operational management.

5pm Friday 13th November