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- Tasks: Lead Manchester's parks and green spaces, driving innovation and sustainability.
- Company: Join Manchester City Council, a vibrant and diverse local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday allowance, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Manchester’s green spaces and leave a lasting legacy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in parks or environmental services with strong financial expertise.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Shape Manchester’s Green Future. Manchester City Council is looking for an inspiring Strategic Lead for Parks & Grounds Maintenance — a role at the heart of creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city.
Our parks and green spaces are the lifeblood of Manchester — 143 parks, 1.3 million trees, and iconic destinations like Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park. They’re where communities connect, nature thrives, and climate resilience begins. We need a visionary leader to protect and enhance these spaces for generations to come.
What You’ll Do
- You will work at a senior level across the Council and with partner organisations to develop innovative approaches, create commercial opportunities, and deliver long-term strategies aligned with the Our Manchester Strategy and other key strategies.
- Lead with purpose: Shape bold strategies and investment plans that transform services and deliver outstanding experiences for Manchester’s communities.
- Drive innovation: Champion new delivery models, unlock commercial opportunities, and lead the charge for sustainability and climate action.
- Oversee major budgets and investments: Oversee a £10m annual revenue budget, a £7m capital investment programme, and income targets of £2.4m+.
- Protect vital assets: Safeguard Manchester’s parks, woodlands, heritage buildings, and green infrastructure — ensuring they thrive for future generations.
- Deliver lasting impact: Balance investment and operational priorities with climate goals, ensuring every decision supports the zero-carbon aim while ensuring safety and service excellence.
- Inspire and empower teams: Lead service managers and motivate teams to achieve continuous improvement and deliver exceptional results.
- Champion high standards: Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and health & safety, setting the benchmark for quality and accountability.
This is more than a job — it’s a chance to shape the future of Manchester’s green spaces and leave a legacy for the city.
We’re Looking For a Proven Leader Who Brings
- Strategic vision and commercial acumen to optimise performance, drive revenue, and deliver value for money.
- Strong financial expertise, including experience managing complex budgets and achieving financial targets.
- Inspirational leadership with the ability to motivate large teams, lead change, and foster continuous improvement.
- Business planning skills to develop and implement strategies, performance frameworks, and income generation initiatives.
- Commercial mindset to identify new opportunities and maximise income streams.
- Commitment to compliance, ensuring adherence to legislation, health & safety, and customer care standards.
- Outstanding communication and political awareness, with the ability to influence and build effective partnerships at all levels.
- Innovation, exploring smart city solutions for green space management.
- A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and Our Manchester Behaviours.
You will hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) and bring at least five years of experience leading large-scale operations in parks, environmental services, or related fields.
About Manchester City Council
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Working for Manchester isn’t just a job — it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives by strengthening communities and driving innovation in public services.
Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City — a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester Behaviours.
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We own it and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits
Generous holiday allowance - up to 26 days annual leave plus
Strategic Lead - Parks & Grounds Lead in Manchester employer: Manchester City Council
Contact Detail:
Manchester City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Lead - Parks & Grounds Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the parks and grounds sector. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for green spaces! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your vision for Manchester’s parks and how you can contribute to their sustainability goals. Let them see your enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Council’s current projects and challenges. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with their strategies. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but you’re ready to hit the ground running and make an impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to create a greener Manchester.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Lead - Parks & Grounds Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your strategic vision and leadership qualities, as these are key for the Strategic Lead role.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use concrete examples of how you've driven innovation or managed budgets effectively in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can bring to Manchester’s green spaces.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also passionate about creating a cleaner, greener city. Share your vision for Manchester’s parks and how you plan to inspire teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Manchester City Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester City Council
✨Know Your Green Vision
Before the interview, dive deep into Manchester City Council's green initiatives and strategies. Understand their vision for parks and grounds maintenance, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to shaping a greener future.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven change in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you motivated large teams or implemented innovative solutions. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and empower others, which is crucial for this role.
✨Master the Budget Talk
Brush up on your financial expertise, especially regarding managing complex budgets. Be ready to discuss how you've overseen significant budgets in the past and achieved financial targets. This will reassure them that you can handle the £10m annual revenue budget effectively.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Given the importance of communication in this role, prepare to discuss how you've built effective partnerships and influenced stakeholders at various levels. This will highlight your outstanding communication skills and political awareness.
