At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and prepare pitches for Birmingham City FC, ensuring top-quality playing surfaces.
- Company: Join the historic Birmingham City Football Club during an exciting growth phase.
- Benefits: Enjoy matchday tickets, discounts, wellbeing services, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours and outdoor work in a dynamic football environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team and develop your skills in sports turf management.
- Qualifications: A passion for horticulture and willingness to learn; NVQ Level 1 is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Birmingham City Football Club is on the rise. With an incredible history dating back to 1875, Birmingham City Football Club is part of an exciting period of accelerated growth and modernisation, and is playing its part in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the transformation of England’s second city as part of the Sports Quarter project. With significant investment across our football, commercial, and community operations, we are rebuilding the Club for long-term success — on and off the pitch. The journey we’re on involves strengthening our structures, elevating our performance environments, growing our teams, and investing heavily in the people, processes and culture that will define the next chapter of Birmingham City FC.
Birmingham City Football Club is looking for a passionate and experienced Groundskeeper to join our Groundskeeping team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to build on their career in sports turf management and horticulture within a professional football environment.
The Department
The Grounds team plays a critical role in ensuring that the Club’s playing surfaces meet the highest professional standards. Responsible for the maintenance and preparation of the pitches and surrounding areas, the department works closely with football operations, coaching staff and external contractors to ensure surfaces are match-ready for fixtures across the Club. Operating in a fast-paced elite sporting environment, the team combines technical expertise, precision planning and a strong work ethic to deliver outstanding pitch quality throughout the season.
About the Role
- Working alongside experienced grounds staff, you will receive hands-on training and development, learning the skills required to maintain high-quality playing and training surfaces used by our First Team, Academy, and Community programmes.
- Learn and develop skills in mowing, marking out, divotting, fertilising and general pitch maintenance.
- Assist with the upkeep and maintenance of the Club's training pitches, agility areas and landscaped grounds at Wast Hills Training Ground.
- Support the maintenance of the site's 3G artificial pitch and indoor playing surface.
- Assist with preparing pitches and surrounding areas for training sessions and fixtures.
- Help maintain landscaped areas including trees, shrubs, flowers and banks.
- Operate and maintain groundskeeping equipment and machinery under supervision and training.
- Attend relevant training courses and qualifications as required by the Club.
- Adhere to all Health & Safety procedures and Club policies at all times.
About You
- We are looking for someone who has a genuine passion for horticulture, sports turf, and outdoor work.
- Is willing to study towards an NVQ Level 1 Diploma in Work-Based Horticulture/Sports Turf or equivalent qualifications.
- Has a positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn.
- Enjoys working as part of a team and takes pride in maintaining high standards.
- Is physically capable of carrying out manual tasks and operating groundskeeping equipment.
- Can work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Demonstrates excellent communication, organisation and time management skills.
- Is flexible and able to meet the demands of a professional football environment.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous experience working with sports turf or grounds maintenance.
- Knowledge of groundskeeping machinery and equipment.
- Understanding of herbicides, pesticides and turf management practices.
- Basic Microsoft Office skills.
The Benefits of Being Blues
At Birmingham City Football Club, we put people at the heart of everything we do. When you join the Club, you become part of the Blues family — and that comes with a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work.
- Matchday Tickets
- Blues Store Discount
- Life Assurance
- Volunteering Day
- Pension Scheme
- Eye Care Voucher
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Help@Hand - 24/7 access to GP appointments, wellbeing services and mental health support.
Safeguarding
Birmingham City Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The safety and wellbeing of all individuals within our care is paramount, and all staff are expected to share and uphold this commitment. All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and will be required to complete safeguarding training as part of the recruitment and induction process.
Birmingham City FC is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Candidates are assessed solely on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or caring responsibilities. We value diversity and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments to support you during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know when applying.
Groundskeeper in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Football Club
Birmingham City Football Club is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where passion for horticulture and sports turf management is nurtured. With comprehensive benefits including matchday tickets, discounts, and access to wellbeing services, employees are encouraged to grow within a dynamic environment that plays a vital role in the transformation of Birmingham's sporting landscape.
Contact Details:
Birmingham City Football Club Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Groundskeeper in Birmingham
✨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 Birmingham City Football Club.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
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✨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 Birmingham City Football Club; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Groundskeeper in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
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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 Groundskeeper.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Birmingham City Football Club 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 Birmingham City Football Club a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Football Club
✨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 Birmingham City Football Club might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
