Senior Park Operations & Biodiversity Lead in Chelmsford

Park Manager - Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks

Permanent, Full Time

£32,852 to £38,649 per annum

Location: Danbury

Working Style: Operational field-based worker

Closing Date: 31st May 2026

At Essex County Council we're already making plans to ensure our long-term economic recovery. We're taking this opportunity to create a greener, more productive and fairer economy that is stronger and more resilient than ever before.

The Culture, Heritage and Green Spaces department will deliver exceptional customer experiences, increase resilience against climate change, demonstrating the benefit of Essex's strategic location, with the objective of developing a financially sustainable operation.

About the role

The Park Manager is responsible for all operational management responsibilities for Danbury Country Park, Cudmore Grove Country Park and Marsh Farm Country Park. Contribute to the development of robust business plans and Park Management Plans, ensuring opportunities for new revenue streams, using data to inform business decisions and translating these into day-to-day operational plans.

You will ensure the Country Parks are safe and clean for visitors and users, promoting and monitoring legislation, byelaws, and health and safety, whilst taking into consideration the impact of climate change, good practice green space management, and enhancing the land's nature conservation and its position as a biodiversity hub.

You will develop and deliver proactive maintenance and health and safety plans and processes, managing and controlling equipment and assets across the parks, and provide insight regarding the status of maintenance and equipment for the parks, as well as ensuring good practices for maintenance are in place.

You will be responsible for managing all day-to-day operations of the three Country Parks, ensuring they are managed within budgeted guidelines and to the agreed quality standards. As such, you will be accountable for budgetary control and financial grip for the Parks, ensuring compliance with all financial processes and good practices, and contributing to the submission of grant applications for additional funding.

You will be accountable for the implementation of consistent processes, controls, ways of working and operating practices within the Parks. Achieve the best experience for our customers with the most effective use of both people and financial resources.

As a manager, you will provide guidance to Rangers and other site staff, including recruitment, induction, training, work planning, evaluating performance, managing conduct and disciplinary matters. You will lead, manage and motivate your team to ensure service objectives are met.

As a leader, you will play a critical role in exhibiting the culture and behaviours expected within the team. You will lead change initiatives within the Country Park to embed the desired culture, managing and motivating staff, ensuring clarity on vision, expectations, standards and objectives.

Collaboration is key in this role as you will manage third party relationships and tenancies, and liaise with and manage partners, stakeholders, other borough and district councils, community groups, volunteer groups, contractors and landlords.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• We're looking for an excellent leader, with strong communication and people management skills, confident in engaging with public of all ages and abilities.
• You will have good understanding, knowledge and experience of ecological/habitat management and conservation issues, and an understanding of the 'Country Park' ethos and commitment to promoting enjoyment of the countryside.
• Ideally, you will be educated to degree level in land management, countryside management or equivalent by experience in Country Park management, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• You will have excellent attention to detail, be confident in using your initiative, with the ability to spot and resolve problems quickly and efficiently.
• You should be able to evidence your experience of generation income within a Country Park or equivalent.
• Above all, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate considerable enthusiasm and energy, together with being highly motivated for what can be achieved, with an understanding and commitment to team working and developing a committed and motivated team.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. The main base for the role is Danbury Country Park however there is an expectation for the post holder to apportion their time between the three sites accordingly.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.