Senior Sports Turf Operative

Senior Sports Turf Operative

As a Senior Sports Turf Operative at the University of Leicester, you will take a leading role in maintaining and developing our high‑quality sports grounds across Stoughton Road and Manor Road. You’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day planning and delivery of maintenance programmes for grass and astro‑turf pitches, cricket facilities, and wider grounds, ensuring they are safe, compliant, and ready for student sport, training and community use.

This is a hands‑on role where you’ll combine your technical expertise with team leadership. You’ll supervise and guide sports turf operatives, ensuring work is completed to a high standard, while fostering a positive, collaborative culture. From mowing, fertilising and line marking to astro‑turf care, planting and winter maintenance, you’ll be involved in the full range of sports turf and grounds management tasks.

With responsibility for compliance, machinery upkeep, and health and safety, your work will directly support the student experience and contribute to the University’s reputation for excellent facilities.

• Experienced sports turf or grounds professional with a passion for delivering high‑quality playing surfaces and amenity spaces.
• Recognised qualification in sports turf, horticulture or a related field (e.g. NVQ Level 2 or equivalent), alongside a PA1/PA2/PA6 spraying licence and a full driving licence.
• Proven hands‑on skills in turf care, machinery use and maintenance, and grounds upkeep.
• Supervisory experience, guiding and supporting colleagues, setting work schedules, and ensuring high standards.
• Knowledge of health & safety and risk assessment requirements, with ability to maintain compliance.
• Strong communication and organisational skills to liaise with colleagues, contractors, and sports users.
• Someone who takes pride in their work, thrives in a team environment, and embodies the University’s values of being Inclusive, Inspiring and Impactful.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Adam Tester, Grounds and Gardens Manager, .

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward‑thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.