Team Leader (Horticulture)

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Generous family leave scheme

Contributory pension scheme

Commuting options (cycle loan, bus, Le

Season ticket loans

Job summary

University of Oxford is seeking a Team Leader for the University Parks grounds. You will combine horticultural expertise with on-site leadership to guide a team across planting, pruning, lawn care, and landscape improvements.

You will organise daily work, promote safe practices, and ensure projects are delivered to a high standard. This role offers a pathway to further leadership within one of the world’s leading universities.

Qualifications

• Must have Level 2 qualification in Horticulture or Arboriculture or relevant land-based discipline or significant practical experience.
• Full UK driving licence is required.
• Significant practical experience in horticulture, landscaping or grounds maintenance.
• Experience leading teams safely with understanding of health and safety legislation and risk assessments.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and apprentices while maintaining high standards of quality and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Organise and plan daily work on site and promote safe working practices.
• Direct teams undertaking grounds maintenance, seasonal planting, pruning and lawn care.
• Ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to a consistently high standard.
• Mentor and support Supervisors and apprentices; coordinate resources.
• Drive continuous improvement across the service.

Skills

Grounds maintenance experience

Team leadership experience

Health and safety knowledge

Communication and organisation

Education

Level 2 qualification in Horticulture/Arboriculture

Full UK driving licence

Job description

As Team Leader, you'll combine practical horticultural expertise with day-to-day onsite leadership, ensuring our parks and landscaped areas are maintained to an exceptional standard. You'll wok with the team supervisor to direct teams undertaking a wide range of grounds maintenance activities, from seasonal planting and specialist pruning to lawn care, landscape improvements and site inspections. However, you will not have any formal line management responsibilities. You'll play an important role in organising daily work, promoting safe working practices and ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and to a consistently high standard. Acting as the senior team member on site when required, you'll support Supervisors by coordinating resources, mentoring colleagues and apprentices, and helping to drive continuous improvement across the service. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further their leadership career while working within one of the world's most prestigious universities.

• A Level 2 qualification in Horticulture, Arboriculture or another relevant land-based discipline (or significant practical experience) together with a full UK driving licence.
• Significant practical experience in horticulture, landscaping or grounds maintenance, with strong plant knowledge and a commitment to developing your expertise.
• Experience leading teams safely and effectively, with a sound understanding of health and safety legislation, risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to plan work, maintain accurate records and build positive working relationships.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and apprentices while maintaining high standards of quality and customer service.

Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. The University Parks team is responsible for maintaining the University's renowned parks, gardens and green spaces covering over 250 sites in and around Oxford.

What We Offer Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.