Grounds Maintenance Manager in Eastleigh, Hampshire

Our client is a land-owning quality Open Space Management Company with a growing diverse portfolio of over 320 housing developments throughout England and Wales and is committed to providing value for money and high quality. Their open spaces include a variety of features such as extensive soft landscaping, play areas, roadways, street lighting and drainage. They also manage a wide variety of habitat types and have an ever-increasing desire to improve the ecological value of their developments. Their simple principle is to deliver effective, high-quality land management that sustains and adds value for the long-term benefit of the environment, the development, and its residents.

The Grounds Maintenance Manager / Contract Manager will be responsible for developments throughout and between Swindon, Dorchester to Chichester. This is an ideal step up from an experienced Grounds Maintenance Operative / Supervisor looking to take a managerial position off the tools, or an experienced Contracts Manager with a keen eye on horticulture. Our client’s sustainable approach to land management means they aim to improve biodiversity on open spaces in their care, working to enhance and create additional habitats whilst engaging residents in the journey via initiatives such as an Award-Winning Bee Friendly Campaign. They have enhanced and created 1000s of square metres of habitats.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To oversee the management and sub-contracted maintenance of public open spaces on allocated developments to a high standard, which will include but is not limited to:
• Liaising with sub-contractors daily and ensuring conformity with their contract.
• Conducting regular development inspections and reporting on our client’s bespoke inspection app (tablet based) ensuring quality and Health and Safety requirements are met.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with your sub-contractors including educating and enhancing their skills.
• Producing monthly reports to the Operations Manager for your region.
• Inspecting playground equipment (training provided) and arranging necessary repairs.
• Liaising with residents and responding to their queries delivering excellent customer service.
• Follow best practice guidelines.
• Be self-motivated and identify opportunities for amenity and biodiversity improvements.

Who They’re Looking For:

• Hold a Degree in one of the following fields: Horticulture, Ecology, or Conservation; OR experience in a similar role; OR 3 years’ working at the operative / supervisory level of grounds maintenance.
• Ability to prioritise, problem solve and manage both short-term and long-term aspirations for a given development.
• A full, clean driving licence.
• Applicants must demonstrate a desire to manage the delivery of consistent high-quality grounds maintenance.
• Effective communication skills when liaising with residents and sub-contractors.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• A good understanding and use of IT.
• Ecological and Horticultural credentials or a keen interest would be desirable.

What You Will Get:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 10% Non-contributory pension scheme
• Death in service insurance and private medical cover
• Company car
• Laptop, iPad, and iPhone

This position requires a satisfactory basic DBS check and driving licence check.

If you’ve previously thrived as a Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Landscape Contracts Manager, Landscape Operations Manager, Soft-Landscaping Supervisor, Parks and Grounds Manager, Estates or Parks Manager, Green Space Manager, Green-Spaces Team Leader, Estates and Grounds Manager, Landscape and Grounds Manager, Environmental Services Manager, Environmental Operations Manager, Arboriculture or Ecology Officer, Grounds and Facilities Manager, Facilities Grounds Manager, Open Space Manager, Open Space and Landscape Manager, Contracts Manager or Assistant Contracts Manager or similar, then our client wants to hear from you.