Head Groundsman – Professional Soccer Training Facility

SIS Pitches USA; New Hanover Township (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SIS Pitches USA is seeking an experienced Head Groundsman to lead day‑to‑day maintenance and agronomic management of three natural‑grass soccer pitches at a professional training facility in Whippany, NJ. The role combines hands‑on work with leadership to deliver elite surfaces in a high‑performance environment.

The successful candidate will plan maintenance programs, supervise the on‑site Sports Turf Technician, and coordinate with SIS Pitches technical specialists to ensure best practices and

Qualifications

• Experience managing high‑performance natural‑grass surfaces at professional/collegiate level.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to lead a small team while staying hands‑on.
• Willingness to work flexible schedules, weekends, and early mornings.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily maintenance and preparation of three natural‑grass pitches.
• Develop and coordinate daily, weekly, and seasonal maintenance programs.
• Perform mowing, line marking, divot repair, pitch cleanup, and field prep.
• Monitor turf health, surface quality, moisture, hardness, and traction.
• Coordinate irrigation scheduling and operate irrigation systems.
• Plan cultural practices: aeration, topdressing, verticutting, grooming, brushing, rolling, overseeding.
• Oversee fertility, wetting agents, and soil amendments.
• Record maintenance activities and prepare weekly field reports.

Skills

Sports turf management

Team leadership

Field maintenance planning

Irrigation management

Tools

Pro turf equipment

Job description

About the Role

SIS Pitches is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head Groundsman to lead the day‑to‑day maintenance and agronomic management of the natural‑grass pitches at a professional soccer training facility in Whippany, New Jersey.

This is a hands‑on leadership position. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and coordinating the maintenance program while working directly on the pitches every day alongside the Sports Turf Technician.

The goal is to consistently provide safe, high‑performing playing surfaces maintained to elite professional soccer standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the daily maintenance and preparation of three natural‑grass soccer pitches.
• Develop and coordinate daily, weekly, and seasonal maintenance programs.
• Perform and supervise mowing, line marking, divot repair, pitch cleanup, and general field preparation.
• Manage mowing heights and professional presentation patterns.
• Monitor turf health, playing quality, surface consistency, and overall field conditions.
• Manage irrigation scheduling and daily operation of the irrigation system.
• Operate and monitor the field‑heating system as required.
• Plan and perform cultural practices including aeration, topdressing, verticutting, grooming, brushing, rolling, and overseeding.
• Develop and execute fertility, wetting‑agent, and soil‑amendment programs.
• Monitor and manage turfgrass diseases, weeds, and insect pressure.
• Coordinate fertilizer and plant‑protection applications in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Monitor surface‑performance parameters including moisture, hardness, traction, and consistency.
• Develop seasonal renovation and recovery plans based on field usage and the team’s schedule.
• Coordinate pitch preparation around training schedules and communicate maintenance requirements with Club staff.
• Supervise and work directly alongside the Sports Turf Technician.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities and field conditions.
• Prepare weekly field‑condition and maintenance reports.
• Perform routine inspection, cleaning, and basic preventive maintenance of turf equipment.
• Identify equipment, material, and product requirements.
• Coordinate with SIS Pitches technical specialists regarding agronomy, renovations, field performance, and long‑term strategy.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in sports turf management, preferably with professional or collegiate soccer, football, baseball, golf, or other high‑performance natural‑grass surfaces.
• Strong practical knowledge of natural‑grass maintenance and agronomy.
• Experience with mowing, irrigation, fertilization, aeration, topdressing, overseeding, and other turf cultural practices.
• Experience operating professional turf‑maintenance equipment.
• Ability to identify and respond to common turfgrass diseases, pests, weeds, and environmental stresses.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to plan work around changing training and facility schedules.
• Ability to lead a small team while remaining fully involved in daily hands‑on maintenance.
• Willingness to work occasional weekends, early mornings, or adjusted schedules based on training and operational requirements.
• Valid driver’s license.
• A pesticide applicator license or the ability to obtain the appropriate New Jersey license is preferred.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who combines strong agronomic knowledge with a hands‑on mentality. This position is ideal for an experienced sports turf professional who wants responsibility for elite playing surfaces while remaining directly involved in their daily preparation and maintenance.

The successful candidate should be proactive, detail‑oriented, reliable, and comfortable working in a high‑performance professional sports environment.

What SIS Pitches Offers

This is an opportunity to join an international company specializing in elite sports surfaces and work directly within a professional soccer environment.

The Head Groundsman will also have access to the technical knowledge and international sports‑turf experience of the wider SIS Pitches team.

Salary and benefits

Competitive and based on experience.

SIS Pitches USA Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.