At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage operations across three beautiful country parks, ensuring safety and cleanliness for all visitors.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority focused on sustainability and community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive workplace that values integrity and offers career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while leading a passionate team in stunning outdoor settings.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills, experience in park management, and a passion for conservation are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38649 - 38649 £ per year.
Location: Danbury
£32,852 - £38,649 per annum
Permanent, Full Time
Working Style: Operational field-based worker
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. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
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.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email.
To apply, please click on the apply button.
Closing date: 11th August 2026.
Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development, staff are encouraged to grow within their roles, all while contributing to a vital service in the heart of Chelmsford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks in Chelmsford
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Essex County Council that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Essex County Council that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
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✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Essex County Council when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Essex County Council's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Essex County Council and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Essex County Council is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Essex County Council.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Essex County Council.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Essex County Council. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
