At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead landscaping teams, manage contracts, and nurture client relationships with excellence.
- Company: Alan Kingsberry Garden Services, known for high-quality horticultural maintenance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, professional development, and long-term stability.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the direction of a growing company.
- Why this job: Join a respected business where your leadership and expertise will be valued.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing landscaping contracts and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Our client, Alan Kingsberry Garden Services, is looking for an experienced Operations & Contracts Manager who can lead with authority and deliver excellence.
This role is not for beginners, career progressors, or candidates looking for a promotion. If you don’t already have a proven track record managing landscaping teams, overseeing maintenance contracts, and handling client relationships with professionalism and confidence, this won’t be the role for you.
If you have built your reputation on:
- Keeping clients loyal and satisfied
- Delivering projects with consistency and precision
- Leading teams who respect your standards
- Running contracts without needing to be chased or corrected
then you’ll understand immediately why this opportunity is rare and why it should have your full attention. This isn’t an “opportunity to step up.” This is a role for someone who’s already operating at a high level and wants a business that recognises it, values it, and gives them room to influence growth.
For years, we’ve delivered trusted, high-quality horticultural maintenance and garden transformations across the region. With over 120 active clients and more being added, our reputation is built on reliability, long-term relationships, and meticulous standards. We’re now looking for an experienced Operations & Contracts Manager to oversee our maintenance portfolio, nurture client relationships, lead our team, and support in the growth of our design-and-build division. This role is central to the business and the successful candidate will become Alan’s key person.
As an Operations & Contracts Manager, you will take ownership of:
- Client relationships across 120+ maintenance contracts
- Team leadership and managing, developing, and performance-monitoring staff
- Operational planning of routes, schedules, and resources
- Quality control to ensure every visit reflects AKGS standards
- Commercial awareness of contract performance, client retention, and efficiencies
- Support on major design & build projects from planning to sign-off
You’ll be the main point of contact for clients and the steady hand that keeps the operation running with confidence and clarity.
You are someone colleagues look up to. Clients trust you. Management relies on you. You have:
- A proven history managing horticultural or landscaping contracts
- Strong leadership skills and the respect of your teams
- Excellent communication and client-handling abilities
- Experience coordinating routes, schedules, and maintenance operations
- Pride in quality, detail, and professional standards
- Ambition to grow as the company grows
This is not a role for someone “finding their feet.” It’s for the person whose feet are already firmly on the ground.
What’s On Offer:
- Competitive salary with room for growth
- Company vehicle & fuel
- Professional development and leadership support
- Long-term stability in a respected local business
- A role where your voice matters, and your experience is valued
- The chance to help shape the direction of a growing company
We have never recruited this position before, so we want the right person to join and stay.
If you have the experience, the track record, and the leadership qualities to run contracts with confidence, this is the role where you’ll be recognised for it, not overlooked. But we’re only interested in speaking with proven professionals. If that’s you, apply with your CV and a short introduction.
With the subject line: AKGS Contracts Manager
Landscape Operations and Contracts Manager in Lisburn employer: Alan Kingsberry Garden Services
At Alan Kingsberry Garden Services, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the horticultural sector, offering a competitive salary and a supportive work environment in Belfast. Our culture is built on respect, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence, providing ample opportunities for professional development and leadership growth. Join us to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business while enjoying the stability of a respected local company that values your expertise.
Contact Details:
Alan Kingsberry Garden Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Landscape Operations and Contracts Manager in Lisburn
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Alan Kingsberry Garden Services.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Alan Kingsberry Garden Services.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Alan Kingsberry Garden Services; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Landscape Operations and Contracts Manager in Lisburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Alan Kingsberry Garden Services.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Landscape Operations and Contracts Manager.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Alan Kingsberry Garden Services is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Alan Kingsberry Garden Services a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alan Kingsberry Garden Services
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Alan Kingsberry Garden Services might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
