GROUNDSKEEPING MANAGER

Compass Group USA; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Personal Leave

Job summary

Compass Group USA is seeking a Groundskeeping Manager to lead landscape and grounds maintenance, ensuring a safe, attractive, and well‑maintained property. You will set direction for the grounds team, develop landscaping plans, manage resources and budgets, and drive high quality outcomes with a focus on safety and professionalism.

The role requires 3–5 years in landscaping or grounds maintenance and 2+ years in leadership.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years landscaping or grounds maintenance experience.
• 2+ years management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of turf management, horticulture, irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Experience planning and managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong communication and organizational abilities.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and work order systems.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop groundskeeping personnel.
• Provide daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.
• Conduct training on landscaping techniques, equipment operation, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for performance and conduct.
• Foster a positive team culture focused on safety, professionalism, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Plan staffing levels and work schedules to meet operational requirements.
• Develop and execute seasonal landscaping plans and enhancement projects.
• Evaluate grounds conditions and identify opportunities to improve appearance, functionality, and sustainability.
• Plan and coordinate planting schedules for trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf areas.
• Create annual maintenance strategies that align with property objectives and budget requirements.
• Recommend improvements to irrigation systems, landscape design, plant health, and curb appeal.
• Oversee mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, weed control, fertilization, irrigation, and seasonal cleanup.
• Coordinate snow and ice removal activities when applicable.
• Monitor work quality through inspections and corrective action plans.
• Prioritize work orders and maintenance activities based on property needs.
• Promote a strong safety culture through training and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements.
• Conduct routine safety meetings and document training.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective measures.
• Maintain handling, storage, and application of chemicals and landscaping products.
• Oversee maintenance, repair, and replacement of equipment.
• Manage inventory for tools, supplies, fertilizers, chemicals, and landscaping materials.
• Coordinate with vendors to procure materials and services.
• Develop and manage operating budgets for grounds maintenance.
• Monitor labor, equipment, and material costs.
• Track project progress and provide updates to leadership.
• Maintain records of maintenance activities, inspections, training, and expenditures.

Skills

Groundskeeping leadership

Project management

Leadership coaching

Safety compliance

Turf management

Irrigation systems

Communication

Driver's license

Job description

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ESFM is the corporate facilities management (FM) division of Compass Group USA, a Gold-level Corporate Sustaining Partner of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and a Platinum Corporate Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

ESFM self-performs 80% of all FM services provided to clients. Our portfolio of solution categories includes Facilities Maintenance & Engineering, ESG Programming, Laboratory Support Services, Janitorial & Industrial Cleaning, Landscaping & Grounds Management, Workplace Solutions and Managed Services.

This self-performance model creates a consistent hospitality experience for clients, resulting in higher engagement and productivity from their employees. ESFM’s clients include many household names from the life sciences, technology, oil & gas and manufacturing markets.

Job Summary

The Groundskeeping Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all landscape and grounds maintenance activities to ensure the property presents a safe, attractive, and well-maintained environment. This role provides strategic direction to the grounds team, develops landscaping plans, manages resources and budgets, and ensures all work is completed to the highest quality and safety standards.
A successful Groundskeeping Manager understands that leadership extends beyond performing the work themselves. Like a coach guiding a team from the sidelines, they develop their employees, provide clear direction, remove obstacles, and create an environment where the team can consistently deliver exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, supervise, and develop groundskeeping personnel.
• Provide daily direction, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.
• Conduct training on landscaping techniques, equipment operation, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Establish clear expectations and hold employees accountable for performance and conduct.
• Foster a positive team culture focused on safety, professionalism, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Plan staffing levels and work schedules to meet operational requirements.

Landscape Planning & Property Enhancement

• Develop and execute seasonal landscaping plans and enhancement projects.
• Evaluate grounds conditions and identify opportunities to improve appearance, functionality, and sustainability.
• Plan and coordinate planting schedules for trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf areas.
• Create annual maintenance strategies that align with property objectives and budget requirements.
• Recommend improvements to irrigation systems, landscape design, plant health, and overall curb appeal.

Grounds Maintenance Operations

• Oversee mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, planting, mulching, weed control, fertilization, irrigation, and seasonal cleanup activities.
• Ensure all grounds are maintained to established appearance and quality standards.
• Coordinate snow and ice removal activities when applicable.
• Monitor work quality through regular inspections and corrective action plans.
• Prioritize work orders and maintenance activities based on property needs.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture through training, inspections, and safe work practices.
• Ensure compliance with all company, client, and regulatory safety requirements.
• Conduct routine safety meetings and document training activities.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain proper handling, storage, and application of chemicals and landscaping products.

Equipment & Resource Management

• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and replacement of groundskeeping equipment.
• Ensure equipment inspections are completed and documented.
• Manage inventory levels for tools, supplies, fertilizers, chemicals, and landscaping materials.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers to procure necessary materials and services.

Additional Qualifications

Budget & Administrative Responsibilities

• Develop and manage operating budgets for grounds maintenance activities.
• Monitor labor, equipment, and material costs to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Track project progress and provide regular updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintain records related to maintenance activities, inspections, training, and expenditures.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of landscaping or grounds maintenance experience.
• Minimum 2 years of management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of turf management, horticulture, irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Experience planning and managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong communication and organizational abilities.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and work order systems.
• Valid driver's license required.

Core Competencies

Success Profile
A high-performing Groundskeeping Manager acts as a coach rather than simply a worker. While they may occasionally assist in the field, their primary responsibility is to develop their team, provide clear direction, monitor performance, allocate resources effectively, and ensure the grounds consistently reflect the highest standards of quality, safety, and professionalism.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Eurest Services maintains a drug-free workplace.