Head of Grounds - Craven Cottage

The Head of Grounds – Craven Cottage is responsible for the leadership, management, preparation and performance of the playing surface and associated grounds operations at Craven Cottage.

The postholder is accountable for ensuring that the stadium pitch is maintained and presented to the highest professional standards, providing a safe, consistent and high-performing playing surface for First Team, Women’s and Academy football, together with approved pitch hires, events and other stadium activity.

The role will develop and deliver annual pitch maintenance, renovation and improvement programmes, balancing a varied programme of football fixtures and training, commercial use, events, weather conditions and the long-term health and performance of the playing surface.

A key responsibility of the role is to manage and advise on pitch usage, working collaboratively with football and commercial stakeholders to maximise appropriate use of the stadium pitch whilst protecting playing quality, recovery periods and the Club’s long-term investment in the surface.

The postholder will lead the Craven Cottage grounds team, manage budgets, specialist machinery and pitch infrastructure, and work closely with Football Operations, Stadium Operations, Commercial and Events teams to ensure the playing surface is prepared to the required standard for all approved uses.

• Job requirements
• Grounds & Playing Surface Management
• Lead all aspects of preparation, maintenance and presentation of the Craven Cottage playing surface.
• Ensure the pitch is maintained consistently to elite professional football standards.
• Develop, implement and monitor annual and seasonal turf management programmes.
• Plan and undertake mowing, aeration, fertilisation, irrigation, overseeding, topdressing, plant health and disease management programmes.
• Monitor pitch condition and performance through appropriate testing, inspection and record keeping.
• Monitor weather forecasts and ground conditions and adapt maintenance programmes accordingly.
• Manage playing surface usage to protect pitch quality, recovery and long-term performance.
• Maintain the highest standards of pitch presentation, including line marking, goal preparation and matchday set-up.
• Plan and deliver annual and in-season renovation programmes.
• Football, Pitch Use & Events
• Ensure the playing surface is fully prepared and presented for all First Team home fixtures.
• Prepare and maintain the playing surface for approved Women’s and Academy fixtures and other football activity at Craven Cottage.
• Work closely with Football Operations to understand fixture requirements and ensure appropriate preparation and recovery periods.
• Work with Stadium Operations, Commercial and Events teams in planning pitch hires, events and other approved uses of the playing surface.
• Assess proposed pitch activity and provide professional advice on its likely impact on surface condition, recovery and future football requirements.
• Support the Club in maximising appropriate use of the stadium pitch while protecting playing quality and long-term surface performance.
• Plan appropriate protection, preparation and reinstatement measures for non-football activity.
• Assess weather and pitch conditions ahead of fixtures and events and advise relevant Club personnel on risks or required interventions.
• Coordinate post-use recovery and maintenance activity to maximise surface recovery between fixtures and events.
• Ensure goals, nets and other grounds-related football equipment are prepared, maintained and compliant with relevant requirements.
• Liaise effectively with match officials, football authorities, visiting clubs, event organisers and other relevant parties on playing surface matters where required.
• Pitch Infrastructure & Technology
• Manage and monitor irrigation, drainage, undersoil heating and other pitch infrastructure.
• Manage the effective deployment and maintenance of specialist turf equipment and technology.
• Monitor the performance of pitch systems and identify maintenance, renewal or improvement requirements.
• Ensure faults and performance issues are identified promptly and appropriate remedial action is taken.
• Work with specialist contractors and consultants where required.
• Team Leadership
• Lead, manage and develop the Craven Cottage grounds team, comprising three direct reports.
• Allocate duties, manage rotas and ensure appropriate staffing coverage across fixtures, events and operational requirements.
• Set clear standards for performance, conduct and attendance.
• Ensure team members are appropriately trained, qualified and competent for the work undertaken.
• Conduct performance reviews and support continuing professional development.
• Promote a positive, professional, accountable and collaborative team culture.
• Ensure sufficient resilience exists within the team to maintain required standards during holidays, absence and periods of intensive stadium activity.
• Equipment & Materials
• Manage all grounds machinery, vehicles, tools and specialist equipment based at Craven Cottage.
• Ensure equipment is appropriately stored, maintained, serviced and operated.
• Maintain appropriate machinery replacement and lifecycle plans.
• Manage the procurement, storage and control of fertilisers, pesticides, seed, materials and other grounds consumables.
• Ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained while achieving value for money.
• Ensure all chemicals and controlled materials are stored, used and disposed of safely and in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Financial Management
• Prepare, manage and monitor the Craven Cottage grounds operating budget.
• Support annual CAPEX planning and prepare investment proposals for machinery, infrastructure and playing surface improvements.
• Control departmental expenditure and ensure effective procurement and value for money.
• Manage contractor expenditure and monitor performance against agreed scopes and budgets.
• Provide appropriate financial and operational reporting.
• Projects & Continuous Improvement
• Lead closed-season pitch renovation and reconstruction works.
• Develop proposals for pitch, machinery and infrastructure improvements.
• Manage grounds-related projects from specification and procurement through to implementation.
• Work effectively with specialist contractors, consultants and suppliers.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of developments in sports turf management, agronomy, machinery and pitch technology.
• Identify opportunities to improve playing surface quality, efficiency, sustainability and operational resilience.
• Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure safe systems of work are established and followed across all grounds operations.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments, method statements and operating procedures are in place.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of relevant Health & Safety requirements associated with grounds operations.
• Ensure the safe operation of machinery and vehicles and the safe use, storage and disposal of pesticides, fertilisers and other substances.
• Ensure employees and contractors are appropriately trained, briefed and supervised.
• Maintain appropriate departmental records relating to machinery, chemicals, maintenance, inspections and statutory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies and report hazards, incidents or breaches promptly.
• Communication & Collaboration
• Maintain strong working relationships with Football Operations, Stadium Operations, Commercial, Events and other Club departments.
• Communicate clearly regarding pitch condition, planned works, operational constraints and playing surface availability.
• Provide clear professional advice on the suitability and timing of proposed pitch use, including football, commercial hires and events.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Grounds & Estates – Training Ground to share knowledge, resources and best practice where appropriate.
• Maintain effective relationships with suppliers, contractors, consultants and football industry contacts.
• Provide professional advice to the Chief Operating Officer and other senior management on playing surface matters, investment requirements and operational risks.
• Job responsibilities

Essential and Desirable

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in professional sports turf management.
• Experience in the preparation and maintenance of high-quality natural grass playing surfaces.
• Experience operating within professional football, professional sport or a comparable elite sporting environment.
• Experience managing playing surfaces subject to varied and intensive usage.
• Experience leading and developing a grounds team.
• Experience planning and delivering pitch maintenance and renovation programmes.
• Experience managing budgets, contractors, machinery and operational resources.
• Experience managing specialist pitch infrastructure including irrigation and drainage systems.

Essential Skills / Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Sports Turf, Horticulture or Grounds Management.
• Strong technical knowledge of sports turf maintenance and agronomy.
• Strong understanding of irrigation, drainage, turf machinery and pitch infrastructure.
• Appropriate pesticide application qualifications relevant to the role.
• Good working knowledge of Health & Safety requirements associated with grounds operations.
• Good IT, administrative and record-keeping skills.
• Strong organisational, planning and communication skills.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions and balance competing football, commercial and operational demands.

Desirable Experience / Skills / Qualifications

• Significant experience maintaining a stadium pitch within professional football.
• NVQ Level 3 or above, or equivalent qualification, in Sports Turf Management.
• PA1 / PA2 / PA6 or equivalent relevant pesticide qualifications.
• IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Experience of hybrid pitch systems and associated specialist technology.
• Experience managing major pitch renovation or reconstruction projects.
• Experience managing playing surfaces used for both elite sport and non-football events.
• Experience using turf performance monitoring and management information to inform maintenance programmes.
• Personal Qualities
• Exceptionally high standards and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and people-management capability.
• Proactive and solutions focused.
• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Reliable and accountable.
• Commercially aware and able to balance pitch protection with the wider operational requirements of the Club.
• Collaborative approach to working with football, commercial and operational departments.
• Strong work ethic and personal credibility.
• Flexible approach to working hours in line with fixtures, events and operational demands.
• Additional Information

Due to the nature of professional football and stadium operations, flexibility is required, including evenings, weekends and public holidays where operationally necessary.

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