Operations Manager

General description of role Operations Manager The purpose of this role is to lead the safe, effective and customer-focused delivery of the Council’s frontline green spaces operations. The postholder will directly line manage two Team Leaders and, through them, oversee operational teams responsible for maintaining parks, open spaces, playgrounds, countryside sites, trees and woodlands, cemeteries, allotments and sports pitches. The role reports into the Green spaces Manager.

The Interim Operations Manager will ensure services are well planned, appropriately resourced and delivered to agreed standards, with robust arrangements for health and safety, public protection, business continuity and emergency response. The role will build a positive, accountable and high-performing culture; maintain effective systems, records and performance information; and work collaboratively with colleagues both within the green spaces team and across the Council, contractors, external partners and communities.

Responsibilities of role Operations Manager Lead the day-to-day delivery of frontline parks and countryside operations, ensuring parks, open spaces, playgrounds, countryside sites, trees and woodlands, cemeteries, allotments and sports pitches are safe, attractive and maintained to agreed standards. Directly line manage two Team Leaders and, through them, provide clear direction, support and oversight to frontline operational teams. Create a positive, inclusive and accountable working culture that motivates employees, promotes effective communication and teamwork, and supports consistently high performance.

Undertake effective people management, including recruitment, induction, objective setting, regular one-to-ones, appraisal, training and development, attendance management, wellbeing, capability, conduct and recognition, in accordance with Council policies. Plan, prioritise and allocate workloads, staffing, vehicles, plant, equipment and materials to meet seasonal demands, service standards and changing operational priorities, ensuring appropriate cover and resilience. Develop, implement and review operational plans, maintenance programmes, service standards and performance measures, using evidence and benchmarking to drive continuous improvement.

Ensure a safe workplace and suitable working conditions for employees, contractors and volunteers, and manage the wider impact of operational activities on residents, visitors and the public. Provide management oversight and assurance for operational risk assessments, method statements, safe systems of work, COSHH assessments, site inspections, accident and near-miss investigations, PPE, training, competency and corrective actions. Ensure vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment are safely operated, inspected, maintained, recorded and replaced as required, and that employees and contractors remain appropriately trained and authorised.

Maintain and test business continuity, contingency and emergency response arrangements for the service, including severe weather, flooding, major incidents and other disruptions; coordinate the team’s response and participate in out-of-hours arrangements where required. Maintain accurate, accessible and auditable records for staffing, training, inspections, assets, work programmes, incidents, complaints, statutory checks and performance, in line with information governance and retention requirements.

Review current operational systems, processes and controls; identify duplication, gaps, inefficiencies and emerging risks; and implement practical improvements, including appropriate use of digital systems. Manage contracts and contractor performance, ensuring service quality and safe delivery. Build constructive relationships and communicate effectively with operational employees, other Council services and contractors. Work confidently and impartially in a political environment, providing sound operational advice to senior officers.

Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Council policies, environmental requirements and recognised industry standards, while supporting biodiversity, sustainability and the responsible management of natural assets.