At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create stunning outdoor spaces and maintain elite sports turf.
- Company: Join The Lensbury, part of Iconic Hotels and Resorts, by the River Thames.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, leisure facilities, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with great career growth and fun social events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on beautiful grounds while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in grounds management and strong horticultural knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About us: Part of Iconic Hotels and Resorts, The Lensbury is located on the Banks of the River Thames at Teddington and is home to an exclusive leisure club, a 155 bedroom hotel, meeting and events space, restaurant and bar, Spa and 25 acres of gardens and grounds.
The Role: As Grounds & Gardens Manager, you will ensure our grounds are presented to the highest standard all year round, while delivering a safe, sustainable, and inspiring environment for members, hotel guests, elite sports teams, and event visitors.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, motivate, and develop a grounds and gardens team, ensuring high standards of presentation and safety.
- Plan and manage work schedules to meet seasonal, operational, and event-driven requirements.
- Deliver top-class turf quality suitable for elite sport and high-performance training.
- Oversee preparation for sporting sessions, including line marking, surface conditioning, and safety checks.
- Manage mowing, scarifying, aeration, irrigation, nutrition, drainage, and renovation programmes.
- Monitor turf health using modern techniques (soil testing, moisture levels, performance benchmarks).
- Manage the maintenance and performance of elite sports turf, including pitches and training surfaces.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including health & safety, machinery operation, and chemical use.
- Manage grounds budgets, procurement, contractor relationships, and asset inventories.
- Work collaboratively with hotel operations teams to ensure grounds align with brand and guest expectations.
- Promote sustainable grounds practices, including responsible water use, waste reduction, and eco-friendly planting.
- Champion biodiversity initiatives, wildlife habitats, and nature-positive enhancements.
Benefits:
- Free meal every shift including unlimited hot and cold drinks in the on-site canteen.
- Discounts at The Lensbury and across some L+R hotels worldwide.
- Use of some leisure facilities, including gym & swimming pool (after successful 30 day review).
- EAP for you and your family, including 24/7 helpline.
- Online benefits portal offering lots of discounts across some major brands.
- Fully funded Apprenticeship opportunities.
- Excellent training and development opportunities.
- Staff Awards and Social events throughout the year.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Free parking.
- Refer a Friend programme.
- Paid annual leave of 28 days including public holidays.
What we're looking for:
- Extensive experience in grounds, estate, or horticultural management.
- Strong knowledge of turf maintenance, sports pitch preparation, and grounds machinery.
- Experience managing a team and overseeing contractors.
- Practical horticultural skills, including planting, pruning, and soft landscaping.
- Good understanding of health & safety, environmental compliance, and grounds maintenance standards.
- Organised, proactive and able to plan workload effectively.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., Level 3/4 in Horticulture, Sports Turf, or similar).
- PA1/PA2/PA6 spraying certifications.
Grounds & Gardens Manager employer: The Lensbury
Contact Detail:
The Lensbury Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Grounds & Gardens Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local gardening or landscaping events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous work in grounds management or horticulture. Include photos of projects you've led, and be ready to discuss your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching The Lensbury and its values. Think about how your experience aligns with their commitment to sustainability and high standards. Tailor your answers to reflect their mission!
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at The Lensbury.
We think you need these skills to ace Grounds & Gardens Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Outdoors: When you're writing your application, let us see your love for creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your dedication to grounds and gardens management.
Highlight Your Technical Skills: Make sure to mention your expertise in turf maintenance and sports pitch preparation. We want to know about your hands-on experience with machinery and horticultural practices, so don’t hold back!
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: Since this role involves managing a team, it’s crucial to showcase your leadership skills. Talk about how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, and any successful projects you've led.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Take a moment to research The Lensbury and align your application with our values and goals. Show us how your vision for sustainable grounds practices fits with what we’re all about. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Lensbury
✨Know Your Turf
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of turf maintenance and sports pitch preparation. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in the past, like aeration or irrigation methods, and how they contributed to the quality of the grounds.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Grounds & Gardens Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them while keeping your team engaged.
✨Plan for Sustainability
The Lensbury values sustainable practices, so come prepared with ideas on how to promote eco-friendly initiatives in grounds management. Discuss any past experiences where you've implemented sustainable practices, like responsible water use or biodiversity enhancements.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be ready to explain how you would collaborate with hotel operations teams to ensure the grounds meet brand expectations and enhance guest experiences.