Head of Grounds

Our client, a well-established organisation based in Slough, is seeking an experienced Head of Grounds for a permanent, full-time, site-based position.

This hands-on role will lead a small grounds team and oversee the planning, preparation and maintenance of sports pitches, gardens, landscaped areas and wider outdoor facilities.

The position offers a salary of £35,000–£45,000 per annum. The normal hours are Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pm, with Saturdays worked on a rota during term time. Early morning and occasional weekend working will also be required to support sporting fixtures and events.

Key Duties:

• Leading, supervising and motivating the grounds team, setting clear standards for workmanship, productivity, presentation and conduct.
• Allocating daily and weekly workloads, prioritising resources and arranging appropriate staffing cover.
• Monitoring performance, identifying development needs and supporting the training of team members.
• Implementing annual and ad hoc grounds programmes while developing short, medium and long-term maintenance plans.
• Prioritising routine and reactive work according to operational needs, sporting activities, events and seasonal conditions.
• Preparing and maintaining cricket, rugby, football and athletics surfaces through mowing, scarifying, spiking, rolling, seeding, top-dressing, fertilising, spraying, watering and line marking.
• Maintaining and setting up associated sports equipment, assessing when full pitch renovation is required and obtaining quotations for approved work.
• Caring for gardens, planted areas, lawns, trees, hedges, fencing, boundaries, pathways, play areas, drainage and irrigation systems.
• Liaising with colleagues regarding pitch use, timings and event requirements, while providing updates on planned work, maintenance needs and weather-related issues.
• Inspecting grounds, trees, pathways, sports facilities and associated infrastructure, reporting hazards and addressing maintenance issues proactively.
• Preparing risk assessments and method statements and ensuring work complies with relevant legislation, policies and safe working procedures.
• Maintaining records relating to inspections, treatments, COSHH, pesticide use, equipment, repairs, servicing and staff training.
• Ensuring fertilisers, pesticides, fuel, machinery and other grounds materials are stored, handled and used safely.
• Managing the safe operation, availability and maintenance of machinery, vehicles, tools and equipment, including statutory inspections and replacement recommendations.
• Managing contractors and specialist suppliers, reviewing quotations, supporting procurement and monitoring the safety, quality and value of external work.
• Coordinating specialist services involving turf renovation, irrigation, drainage, tree care and other grounds projects.
• Supporting budget planning and capital improvement programmes while controlling expenditure and using machinery and resources efficiently.
• Promoting sustainable grounds management through responsible water use, reduced reliance on chemicals and fuel, biodiversity improvements, habitat creation and appropriate planting.
• Supporting site events with grounds preparation, clear-down and parking arrangements, as well as seasonal duties such as snow clearance.
• Maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues, contractors, suppliers and members of the wider community.
• Keeping knowledge of sports turf, horticulture, grounds management and relevant legislation up to date.
• Undertaking other reasonable duties appropriate to the responsibilities and seniority of the position.

The successful candidate will have:

• A good standard of general education, including GCSE or O level qualifications.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in sports grounds management or turf care.
• Proven team leadership experience, with the ability to train, develop, motivate and share good practice with others.
• Strong knowledge of preparing and maintaining cricket, rugby, football and athletics surfaces.
• Practical experience of maintaining gardens, planted areas, trees, hedges, fencing and site boundaries.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including workload prioritisation, delegation and the management of routine and reactive work.
• A sound understanding of health and safety standards, procedures and safe working practices.
• Experience of managing departmental budgets and controlling expenditure.
• Confidence working with contractors and suppliers.
• Basic IT skills for planning, communication and record-keeping.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, together with the ability to work independently.
• The physical capability to manage a demanding, hands-on workload.
• Excellent attention to detail and a reliable, consistent, trustworthy and diligent approach.
• A full, clean and current driving licence.

Desirable Experience:

• An NVQ Level 2 or above in Sports Turf Management, horticulture or a similar subject.
• A recognised professional grounds management qualification or equivalent.
• PA1, PA2 and PA6 chemical spraying certificates.
• Experience of operating and maintaining irrigation systems.

Benefits:

• 5 weeks’ paid holiday (25 days), plus Bank Holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Uniform provided.
• Supportive working environment.

Additional Information:

The preferred start date is as soon as possible.

The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and appropriate safeguarding checks.