At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain world-class pitches for Leicester City Football Club and support turf improvement projects.
- Company: Join the iconic Leicester City Football Club and be part of a passionate team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, free parking, subsidised meals, and up to 33 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for professional development in a vibrant football environment.
- Why this job: Turn your love for sports into a career and see your work on matchdays!
- Qualifications: Experience in sports turf maintenance and strong teamwork skills required.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
Leicester City Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Location: Leicester City Football Club Training Ground, Seagrave
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Department: Grounds
Working Pattern: Includes evenings, weekends and matchdays as required
Turn your passion for elite sports surfaces into a career at one of football's most iconic clubs. Leicester City Football Club is looking for a Skilled Sports Turf Operative to join our Grounds team and play a key role in maintaining world-class playing surfaces at the King Power Stadium and our training facilities. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced grounds professional to work within a high-performance environment, helping to deliver exceptional pitches for first-team training, matchdays, academy football and club events. If you take pride in producing outstanding playing surfaces and enjoy working as part of a dedicated team, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Role
Reporting to the Pitch Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day maintenance and presentation of our pitches, ensuring they meet the highest professional standards throughout the season. No two days are the same. From preparing pitches for matchdays and training sessions to operating specialist grounds machinery and supporting turf improvement projects, you'll play an important role in delivering surfaces that perform at the very highest level.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Pitch Maintenance
- Carry out daily pitch maintenance including mowing, line marking, edging and presentation work.
- Support seasonal turf management programmes, including aeration, scarification and topdressing.
- Assist with the application of fertilisers and plant protection products.
- Monitor pitch condition and identify any issues relating to wear, disease or drainage.
- Equipment & Machinery
- Safely operate a range of professional groundskeeping equipment and machinery.
- Conduct routine equipment checks, maintenance and minor repairs.
- Maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment.
- Matchday & Training Support
- Assist with pitch preparation for matches, training sessions and Club events.
- Work closely with the Grounds team to deliver consistently high standards across all playing surfaces.
- Support ongoing pitch improvement projects and maintenance programmes.
- Health & Safety
- Follow all health and safety procedures and best practice guidance.
- Use PPE appropriately and maintain a safe working environment.
- Report any hazards or concerns promptly.
- Stay up to date with the latest developments in sports turf management.
- Participate in training and professional development opportunities.
- Contribute ideas and innovations to improve pitch quality and operational efficiency.
What We're Looking For
- Experience within sports turf maintenance, groundskeeping or a similar environment.
- Experience operating grounds maintenance machinery and equipment.
- Excellent attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team.
- A proactive approach with the ability to work independently when required.
- Qualification or certification in Sports Turf Management, Horticulture or a related discipline.
- Experience working within a professional sports environment.
- Knowledge of both natural and synthetic pitch maintenance.
Who You Are
You're passionate about sports turf, take pride in your work and enjoy seeing the results of your efforts on some of the most visible surfaces in professional sport. You're reliable, hardworking and willing to go the extra mile to help the team deliver excellence every day.
Working with Leicester City Football Club
This role is primarily outdoors and will involve working in a variety of weather conditions. Due to the nature of elite sport, flexibility is essential, including the ability to work evenings, weekends and around matchday schedules. In return, you'll have the opportunity to work within a professional football environment, develop your skills alongside experienced industry professionals and contribute directly to the success of Leicester City Football Club.
About The Club
Leicester City Football Club has a rich and proud history – we’re more than just a football club; we’re a community. Formed in 1884, we’ve achieved incredible milestones, including becoming Premier League champions in 2016 and winning the FA Cup in 2021. Our commitment to the local community, fans, and world-class experiences extends beyond the pitch. With the opening of our new state-of-the-art training ground in 2021, we continue to invest in our growth and success. Our team at Leicester City is more than just colleagues – we invite you to join our Club and experience the exciting opportunities of a life in the football industry!
Benefits Package
Our people are the lifeblood of the Club, and we feel should be rewarded as such – we offer a competitive salary, pension scheme and life assurance for all permanent employees. You’ll enjoy free onsite parking, access to our subsidised staff restaurants and up to 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) amongst a host of other great employee benefits!
Leicester City Football Club believes that football is for all, and we are committed to Diversity and Inclusion, where valuing the individual is our highest priority. We are working to see equality across all areas of the Club and welcome applications from all areas of the community. If you have any requirements in regard to the recruitment process, please let us know; we are happy to support your needs.
Skilled Sports Turf Operative Leicester City Football Club employer: Kick it Out
Kick It Out is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a positive work culture where passion for sport meets personal development. As a Football Education Coach, you will not only enjoy a competitive salary and generous annual leave but also have the unique opportunity to inspire and mentor young people in South London, making a meaningful impact in their lives. With a focus on growth and community engagement, this role offers a rewarding experience for those looking to contribute to youth development through football.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Skilled Sports Turf Operative Leicester City Football Club
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Kick it Out. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Kick it Out. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Skilled Sports Turf Operative Leicester City Football Club
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Kick it Out aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kick it Out
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Kick it Out, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
