Landscaping Team Leader

United Utilities; Newby Bridge; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave benefit

Healthcare plan

Pension scheme

Employee discounts

Car scheme

Mental health support

Flexible benefits

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an experienced Grounds Maintenance Team Leader to guide a remote team across a large area, delivering planned and reactive maintenance with safety and quality at the forefront.

You’ll manage schedules, oversee contractors, and drive performance while maintaining records, budgets, and stakeholder relationships. The role requires travel and strong leadership in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Accredited grounds maintenance qualification (City & Guilds or equivalent).
• Full, valid manual UK driving licence; significant travel across the region.
• GCSEs English & Maths at grade 4/C or above.
• Strong grounds maintenance knowledge with leadership experience.
• Health, safety and risk management expertise in grounds maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Grounds Maintenance Operatives, including temporary workers.
• Develop daily schedules to meet the grounds maintenance plan for each site.
• Perform physically demanding tasks in outdoor environments.
• Maintain accurate work records using IT systems.
• Ensure strict adherence to Health and Safety requirements and risk assessments.
• Liaise with contractors and oversee activities as a subject matter expert.
• Provide guidance and cost estimates for Grounds Maintenance-related projects.

Skills

Grounds maintenance leadership

People management

Planning & scheduling

Health & safety

Stakeholder management

Microsoft Excel

Remote team leadership

Operational compliance

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

Grounds maintenance qualification (City & Guilds or equivalent)

Tools

Ride-on mower

Remote & pedestrian mowers

Strimmers

Blowers

Hedge cutters

Pole saws

Job description

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Grounds Maintenance Team Leader to lead a remotely based team of approximately 15 colleagues across a large geographical area.

You’ll oversee the day-to-day delivery of planned and reactive grounds maintenance activities, managing schedules flexibly around weather and operational priorities. You’ll provide technical expertise, raise works, manage contractors and associated costings, approve risk assessments and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

With significant travel involved, you’ll be a visible leader for your remote team, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard. You’ll bring strong grounds maintenance experience alongside proven people leadership skills.

What you'll be doing

• Manage a team of Grounds Maintenance Operatives, including temporary workers, overseeing attendance, disciplinary actions, and performance management.
• Manage the development of daily schedules in order to achieve the Grounds maintenance plan for each site.
• Perform physically demanding tasks in outdoor environments.
• Maintain accurate work records using both corporate and Grounds Maintenance-specific IT systems.
• Ensure strict adherence to Health and Safety requirements, regulatory standards, and internal company policies.
• Uphold a customer-centric approach, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction by consistently meeting their needs.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and promote standardization across the region.
• Liaise and oversee contractor activities as a subject matter expert.
• Provide guidance and cost estimates for Grounds Maintenance-related projects.
• Address and resolve complaints and inquiries from external customers in a timely and professional manner.
• Manage and oversee all Grounds Maintenance equipment, ensuring proper maintenance, safe usage, and secure storage.
• Cultivate strong relationships with site teams, fostering cooperation and flexibility among team members.
• Maintain effective communication channels across a wide geographical area.
• Engage Grounds Maintenance team members on topics such as biodiversity, environmental legislation, and Health and Safety practices.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards through regular audits and risk assessment reviews.
• Conduct team briefings, performance appraisals, and one-on-one meetings with team members.

Essential Skills & Experience

• An accredited grounds maintenance qualification, such as City & Guilds or equivalent.
• A full, valid manual UK driving licence is required, significant travel required across the region.
• A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications.
• Strong technical knowledge and practical experience within the grounds maintenance industry, including the use of equipment such as ride-on, remote and pedestrian mowers, strimmers, blowers, hedge cutters and pole saws.
• Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to effectively lead and support remote teams.
• A strong understanding of health, safety and risk management within a grounds maintenance environment.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to adapt schedules around changing operational and weather requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with confidence working with customers, contractors and internal teams.
• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

About Us

Salary - £46,359
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Haverthwaite Wastewater Treatment Works, Haverthwaite, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AE
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes