Grounds Manager - Horndean Parish Council

Name of recruiting organisation

Horndean Parish Council

Employed role/Volunteer role

Employed role

Permanent role/Fixed term role

Permanent

Location:

Horndean 

Salary:

Scale Range 24–28 (£36,581 - £40,444)

Hours:

37 hours per week, normally Monday to Friday, with occasional evening meetings where required. Time off in lieu is provided in accordance with Council policies.

Our council and the role:

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Grounds Manager to join our Senior Management Team at an exciting time for the Council.

The Council is investing in and evolving its approach to the management of its land portfolio, green spaces and recreational facilities. We want to build on what we already have, take a more strategic and sustainable approach to our assets, and ensure our parks, open spaces, nature reserves, play areas and other community facilities continue to serve residents well for years to come.

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in that journey.

Duties will include:

  • Lead the development and delivery of grounds maintenance, open space and environmental management programmes.
  • Develop management plans, maintenance schedules and improvement programmes across the Council’s land and community assets.
  • Identify opportunities for innovation, investment, environmental enhancement and service improvement.
  • Lead and develop our grounds team, including three direct reports, while coordinating contractors, seasonal resources and volunteers.
  • Oversee the management of parks, recreation grounds, nature reserves, amenity areas, play areas and other Council-owned land.
  • Drive improvements in biodiversity, habitat management, woodland management and environmental sustainability.
  • Ensure recreational facilities and play areas are maintained safely and to a high standard.
  • Develop opportunities for residents, schools, volunteers and community organisations to become involved in our open spaces.
  • Manage contracts and contribute to revenue and capital budget planning.
  • Identify external funding, grants and environmental stewardship opportunities to help deliver improvements.
  • Act as a professional adviser to the Council and provide reports and recommendations to councillors and relevant committees.

    The ideal candidate will have/be:

    • Relevant qualification in grounds management, horticulture, countryside management, land management, environmental management or a related discipline, or demonstrable equivalent professional experience.
    • Strong practical and technical knowledge of grounds maintenance, parks, open spaces, countryside or land management.
    • Good working knowledge of health and safety requirements, risk assessment and safe systems of work within an operational grounds or similar environment.
    • Understanding of sustainable land management, biodiversity enhancement and environmental good practice.
    • Significant hands-on experience of managing grounds, parks, open spaces, countryside sites, recreational facilities or a comparable land portfolio, including delivery of service improvements and budget monitoring.
    • Experience of successfully leading, supervising and developing staff, including managing performance and workload.
    • Experience of planning and delivering maintenance programmes, improvement works or environmental projects.
    • Experience of managing contractors and monitoring works against agreed specifications, standards and budgets.
    • Experience of managing operational health and safety requirements, including risk assessments, inspections and safe working practices.
    • Strong leadership skills with the ability to plan and prioritise workloads and motivate, develop and support employees and volunteers.
    • A proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach.
    • Commitment to delivering safe, welcoming and high-quality public spaces.
    • Commitment to environmental sustainability and improving biodiversity.
    • A strong customer and community focus.
    • A collaborative approach with the confidence to provide professional challenge and recommend change where appropriate.

    How to find out more details:

    For further information, contact Horndean Parish Council at contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk.

    Closing date:

    5pm, Monday 2nd November 2026.

    How to apply:

    Send CV and covering letter to contact@horndeanpc-hants.gov.uk.

    Interviews: Monday 9th November 2026.