Deputy Park Manager

Job Reference: HCC

Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum

Work Location: Royal Victoria Country Park, Southampton and River Hamble Country Park, Southampton

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22 March 2026

The Role:

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Deputy Park Manager to play a key leadership role across Royal Victoria Country Park and River Hamble Country Park. Working closely with the Park Business Manager, this role is central to the day‑to‑day leadership of staff, services and facilities, ensuring teams are well supported, helping to ensure both sites operate safely, efficiently and to the highest possible visitor standards. It offers the opportunity to be part of a passionate management team dedicated to high‑quality visitor experiences, the conservation of valued landscapes and the long‑term sustainability of two of Hampshire's most iconic Country Parks.

What you'll do:

You will take a hands‑on leadership role in day‑to‑day operations, ensuring the smooth, safe, and effective running of both parks. This includes overseeing frontline services, facilities, and operational activities, while maintaining strong visibility across sites and teams. A key part of the role is leading, supporting, and motivating a diverse staff team, including permanent staff, casual employees, and volunteers. You will promote consistent management practice, support staff development, and foster a positive, inclusive working culture where people feel valued. Working with the Park Business Manager you will contribute to business and operational planning, including support for financial management, monitoring budgets and expenditure, identifying opportunities for income generation, and helping to improve operational efficiency and resilience across both sites. The role also involves managing operational risks, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements, and responding proactively to issues as they arise to maintain service continuity and high visitor standards.

What we're looking for:

You will bring proven experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to motivate others and support staff wellbeing and development. Strong interpersonal skills are essential, with the confidence to communicate clearly and professionally with staff, partners, contractors, and visitors. We're looking for someone with experience in countryside management, visitor attractions, or facilities management, combined with a strong understanding of site‑level health and safety and operational risk management. You will be confident working independently, making sound decisions, and managing competing priorities across busy operational environments. You'll also have good financial and commercial awareness, including experience of budgeting, monitoring expenditure, and supporting income generation or cost‑effective service delivery. Strong IT skills are important to support effective operational management, reporting, and communication.

Why join us?

We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace, where talent is truly recognised and developed. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of and where you are empowered to be your best and believe in creating a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles. If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch.

To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our benefits package.

Additional Information:

Deputy Park Manager Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: Phillip Halliwell, Countryside Parks Business Manager

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.