Park Operations Development Manager
Park Operations Development Manager

Park Operations Development Manager

Full-Time 59000 - 64000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Royal Parks

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead park operations and enhance sustainability at Richmond Park.
  • Company: The Royal Parks, managing iconic green spaces in London.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and health benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on London's parks while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in landscape management and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to preserving London's natural beauty.

The predicted salary is between 59000 - 64000 £ per year.

The Royal Parks (TRP) is a charity created in March 2017. We manage over 5,000 acres of diverse parkland, rare habitats and historic buildings and monuments in eight Royal Parks across London. These are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park, St James's Park, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park. We also manage other important public spaces, including Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens. Our eight Royal Parks and other iconic green spaces are among the most visited attractions in the UK with tens of millions of visits every year.

We are now looking for a Park Operations Development Manager to join us on a permanent, full-time basis, working 36 hours per week, including some weekends and evenings. Agile and hybrid working options are available.

The Benefits

  • Salary of £59,000 - £64,000 per annum depending on experience
  • 26 days annual leave plus public holidays, increasing to 29 days after three years service
  • Pension scheme (3% employee contribution; up to 10% employer contribution)
  • Hybrid/agile working options
  • Private medical insurance and healthcare cash plan
  • Employee assistance programme and access to mental health first aiders
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Offices in a beautiful location

This is a rare opportunity for a high-calibre landscape, amenity horticulture or park operations professional to step into a pivotal role within our exceptional and vital organisation. You will have the chance to influence and operate at the heart of vital work to evolve how park operations are delivered, supporting sustainability and resilience and ensuring we are equipped for the future. You will be enabled to enhance your professional profile, gaining experience that adds weight and depth to your portfolio while continuing to strengthen your core expertise.

The Role

As a Park Operations Development Manager, you will seek to improve and optimise park operations at Richmond Park by leading a programme to bring them in-house. Specifically, you will manage the programme of Landscape Maintenance Teams, leading the move from contractor-run services to an in-house team and supporting recruitment where needed. You will put clear team structures and ways of working in place and arrange the purchase of the equipment, machinery and services required to deliver the work safely and effectively. Working closely with colleagues across HR, Procurement, Health & Safety, Finance, IT and Park Management, you will create a clear plan and timetable for the programme and ensure everyone understands their role. You will manage risks, maintain clear communication with stakeholders and provide regular updates to senior leaders to ensure the programme stays on track.

Additionally, you will:

  • Lead the continuous improvement of operational processes
  • Co-ordinate the project team and related activity
  • Work with HR on employment arrangements for new in-house teams
  • Maintain clear reporting throughout the programme

About You

To be considered as a Park Operations Development Manager, you will need:

  • Extensive experience in landscape, amenity horticulture or park operations, including contract management
  • Experience developing operational delivery structures and plans
  • Experience specifying fleet vehicles, plant, equipment and machinery for horticultural or land management operations
  • Experience of financial management and report writing
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety principles, roles and responsibilities
  • Good communication, interpersonal, relationship-building and negotiation skills
  • Knowledge and competence in Microsoft Office (including Excel), with the ability to learn new systems such as Geographical Information Systems
  • A qualification in horticulture or land management

The Royal Parks is strongly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

If you think that you may need more support to complete our application process, please do get in touch.

Park Operations Development Manager employer: The Royal Parks

The Royal Parks is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in some of London's most iconic green spaces while contributing to the sustainability and resilience of park operations. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and benefits such as hybrid working options, private medical insurance, and generous annual leave, you will thrive in a role that not only enhances your professional profile but also allows you to make a meaningful impact on the community. Join us in shaping the future of park management in a beautiful and inspiring environment.
The Royal Parks

Contact Detail:

The Royal Parks Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Park Operations Development Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the park operations field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching The Royal Parks and their initiatives. Show us that you’re passionate about sustainability and park management. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their goals.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in landscape or park operations makes you the perfect fit for the Park Operations Development Manager role. Keep it concise and engaging!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at The Royal Parks.

We think you need these skills to ace Park Operations Development Manager

Landscape Maintenance
Amenity Horticulture
Park Operations Management
Contract Management
Operational Delivery Planning
Fleet Vehicle Specification
Financial Management
Report Writing
Health and Safety Knowledge
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Relationship-Building
Negotiation Skills
Microsoft Office Competence
Geographical Information Systems Learning Agility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in landscape, amenity horticulture, or park operations. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Park Operations Development Manager!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love to see numbers and results that show how you’ve improved operations or led successful projects.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Parks

✨Know Your Parks

Familiarise yourself with the Royal Parks and their unique features. Understand the specific challenges and opportunities they face, especially in terms of sustainability and park operations. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion and commitment during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your extensive experience in landscape, amenity horticulture, or park operations. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've developed operational delivery structures and managed contracts effectively. Highlight any relevant projects that showcase your skills in financial management and report writing.

✨Communicate Clearly

Effective communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to discuss how you would maintain clear communication with stakeholders and manage risks throughout the programme. This will show that you can lead a team and keep everyone on track.

✨Demonstrate Team Leadership

As a Park Operations Development Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Think about your leadership style and be ready to share examples of how you've successfully coordinated project teams in the past. Discuss how you would support recruitment and create a positive working environment for new in-house teams.

Park Operations Development Manager
The Royal Parks
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