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’…