Landscape Gardener

Sunderland AFC; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunderland AFC is seeking a Landscape Gardener to maintain and enhance the club's training ground and surrounding areas. You will care for gardens, hedges, lawns and pathways, ensuring year‑round presentation and safety.

Join a dedicated Grounds team focused on high standards, sustainability and delivering an exceptional home ground experience for players, staff and supporters.

Qualifications

• Previous practical experience in professional gardening, landscaping, horticulture or estate maintenance.
• Ability to perform mowing, edging, hedge cutting, pruning, planting and weed control to a high standard.
• Strong attention to detail with a proactive, reliable, flexible approach and full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain gardens, planted areas, hedges, trees, lawns, pathways and external spaces to a high standard.
• Support proactive landscape maintenance and sustainable landscaping across club sites.
• Plan and prioritise workload while working as part of the Grounds team.

Skills

Mowing

Edging

Hedge cutting

Pruning

Planting

Weed control

Seasonal maintenance

Workload planning

Attention to detail

Driving licence

Education

Horticultural qualifications

PA1/PA6 certification

Chainsaw qualification

Irrigation experience

Tools

Lawn mower

Hedge trimmer

Pruners

Strimmer/weed eater

Job description

About the Grounds Team:

Our Grounds team are the dedicated professionals responsible for maintaining and enhancing the pitch and surrounding areas to the highest standards. They play a vital role in ensuring that the playing surface is safe, beautiful, and in top condition for every match and event. With a strong focus on quality, attention to detail, and safety, the team works tirelessly year‑round to create an environment that reflects the pride of the club. Their expertise and commitment help deliver an exceptional experience for players, staff, and supporters alike, all while preserving the iconic look and feel of our home ground.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a Landscape Gardener to support the delivery of a first‑class environment across Sunderland AFC’s training ground and associated Club sites through the maintenance, development and presentation of all landscaped and non‑playing areas.

You will take pride and ownership in ensuring that gardens, planted areas, hedges, trees, lawns, pathways and external spaces are maintained to a consistently high standard throughout the year.

Working as part of the wider Grounds team, the role will deliver a proactive, planned approach to landscape maintenance while identifying opportunities to continually improve the appearance, quality, efficiency and sustainability of the Club’s external environment.

What We Ask For:

You’ll have previous practical experience in professional gardening, landscaping, horticulture or estate maintenance, with strong knowledge of general garden and landscape care. You’ll be confident carrying out mowing, edging, hedge cutting, pruning, planting, weed control and seasonal maintenance to a high standard.

You’ll be competent in the safe use of horticultural machinery and hand tools, with a strong eye for detail, pride in presentation and the ability to plan and prioritise your workload independently. A proactive, reliable and flexible approach is essential, along with good communication skills and a full UK driving licence. Horticultural qualifications, PA1/PA6 certification, chainsaw or arboricultural qualifications, irrigation experience and knowledge of sustainable landscaping would be advantageous.

You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.