Head of Grounds - Craven Cottage

About the Role

The Head of Grounds at Craven Cottage is responsible for the leadership, management, preparation and performance of the playing surface and associated grounds operations. The role ensures the stadium pitch is maintained to the highest professional standards for First Team, Women’s and Academy football, as well as approved pitch hires and events. The postholder develops and delivers annual pitch maintenance and renovation programmes, manages pitch usage, and leads the grounds team, working closely with Football Operations, Stadium Operations, Commercial and Events teams.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Significant experience maintaining a stadium pitch within professional football.
• NVQ Level 3 or above, or equivalent qualification, in Sports Turf Management.
• PA 1 / PA 2 / PA 6 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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr