Estate Officer - Roundhay Park in Leeds

Join Our Team as an Estate Officer at Roundhay Park – One of Europe’s Largest City Parks! An exciting opportunity has arisen within Leeds City Council’s Parks and Countryside service for an Estate Officer based at the iconic Roundhay Park estate.

About Roundhay Park

Roundhay Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, is one of the biggest city parks in Europe, spanning over 700 acres of stunning parkland, lakes, woodlands, and specialist gardens. Owned and managed by Leeds City Council, the park attracts around one million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular destinations in the region. The park offers a wealth of recreational opportunities, including walking and running routes, football and cricket pitches, tennis courts, bowling greens, two playgrounds, and a skate park. It also features streams, landscaped canals, and the beautiful gardens of Tropical World. Roundhay Park is a vibrant hub for events, hosting everything from the World Triathlon Series and North Leeds Food and Drink Festival to major concerts.

About the Role

As Estate Officer, you’ll play a key role in maintaining and enhancing this exceptional estate. You will:

• Lead and supervise teams to deliver high-quality work across gardens and grounds.
• Work closely with volunteers, community groups, stakeholders, and partners to ensure smooth delivery of events and projects.
• Help manage and cultivate gardens and land, ensuring visitor-focused, high-quality facilities.
• Support the planning and delivery of events within the park.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a motivated, flexible, and enthusiastic individual with:

• Proven experience in team leadership and supervision.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to outstanding service.
• Practical horticultural experience, ideally including garden management and cultivation.
• A passion for creating exceptional visitor experiences.
• Experience in event delivery would be an advantage.
• A full driving licence is essential, and you must be willing to work evenings and weekends when required, particularly during events.
• Some lone working may also be necessary.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in one of the UK’s most prestigious parks, contributing to its continued success and helping shape memorable experiences for visitors. If you’re passionate about horticulture, community engagement, and delivering excellence, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures.

Job Purpose

To assist in the management of the day to day delivery of services, and the upkeep of assets and infrastructure in line with the Parks and Countryside service objectives and site management plans.

Responsibilities

• To assist in the development and promotion of the site in line with the management plans as appropriate for relevant features on the site.
• To support management of the site and facilities to develop and enhance a positive visitor experience.
• To assist in the preparation and delivery of site management plans and programmes of improvement works in accordance with service priorities and agreed development outcomes.
• To ensure that the ethical and statutory requirements for the well being of all livestock and / or other zoological collections are met where relevant.
• To process funding applications as appropriate.
• To manage resources to maximise efficiency.
• To provide on‑site support to organisers for events and activities and ensure that Health and Safety and legal requirements are met.
• To manage and motivate staff, including ensuring that appropriate staff development is in place.
• To manage budgets in relation to the functional area for which the post is responsible.
• To ensure effective consultation mechanisms in order to develop the work of the Parks and Countryside service.
• To compile and provide performance information that is accurate and timely as requested.
• To represent the Parks and Countryside service at all appropriate internal and external meetings.
• To fulfil duties in line with the Parks and Green Space Strategy and related strategies and service objectives and in support of the aims of the Leeds Strategic Plan and Council Business Plan.
• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time.
• To ensure the procurement of goods and services is in accordance with financial regulations, corporate policy and legal requirements.
• Willing to take personal responsibility and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety policy.
• Willing to abide by the Council’s policies on equality and diversity in the duties of the post and as an employee of the council.

Qualifications

NVQ Level 3 (Horticulture / Management) or equivalent, combined with a minimum of 2 years relevant experience.

Essential Requirements

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
• Ability to effectively lead, manage and motivate individuals and teams.
• Ability to make appropriate and timely decisions.
• Ability to monitor and review performance.
• Ability to prioritise and organise work schedules.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Ability to manage and deliver projects to agreed timescales, quality and budget.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to access remote sites efficiently.

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of the management of estate or visitor facilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of horticultural and grounds maintenance.
• Knowledge of current Health and Safety requirements.
• Current legislation and issues affecting the provision and development of land based recreational facilities.

Experience Required

• Experience in managing budgets.
• Experience of managing gardens and grounds.
• Experience in working in an urban countryside and greenspace environment.
• Production and implementation of management plans.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
• Willing to carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.
• A positive commitment to providing excellence in service provision.
• Full, clean driving licence, to enable independent travel to other locations as necessary.

Desirable Requirements

It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:

• Ability to analyse data and produce effective reports and presentations.
• Ability to demonstrate good ICT skills (e.g. email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases).

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of local government decision making processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of marketing principles in a parks and countryside context.
• Knowledge of current grant funding processes.
• Knowledge of quality assurance systems and procedure.

Experience Required

• Liaising with external agencies regarding land proposals, land acquisition, disposal, and ownership issues.
• Preparation and presentation of information at diverse levels e.g. to Members of Parliament, Elected Members, Senior Council Managers and members of the public.
• Provision of high quality, detailed responses within short time scales.
• Experience in producing interpretive material.
• Experience in a management / supervisory role in a visitor attraction or similar.
• Experience in the management and co‑ordinating events.