Head of Grounds and Landscape Services

The Directorate of Facilities Management & Commercial Services is dedicated to creating a vibrant, safe and inspiring University from the spaces used for study, to where our students live, eat and connect.

The wide-ranging Facilities section within the directorate provides an array of services to students and staff, including campus safety, cleaning, sustainable transport, space management, reception and accommodation services to name a few.

The Head of Grounds and Landscape Services will lead the team who are responsible for the continuous maintenance, improvement and development of our beautiful 500-acre parkland campus, which recently achieved its ongoing Green Flag Award for its internationally recognised accessible parks and green spaces.

The postholder and their team will drive improvements across both campuses and our sports fields, setting out inclusive, sustainable and practical actions to create an outstanding student, staff and visitor experience, whilst also enhancing biodiversity, sustainability and wellbeing across campus.

About the Role

The Head of Grounds and Landscape Services plays a critical role in the strategic development, improvement and ongoing maintenance of the University grounds, gardens, woodlands, amenity landscape, public realm and sports fields.

This role provides strategic and operational leadership of the team towards the University’s landscape activities and initiatives, contributing and collaborating towards the integration of the landscape and grounds with development of the University estate and the Ecological Management Plan.

Utilising their diverse range of technical knowledge, the postholder will lead a skilled and dedicated team in the safe execution of their duties, whilst also displaying strong stakeholder engagement across the University and with external partners.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Details of the main qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications essential to the post (as stated in the ‘person specification’ in the job template)

Role Specific:

• Experience of working at a managerial/expert level, including managing a team/number of teams or a significant project/number of projects
• Degree in Landscape Management or significant equivalent experience
• NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• Significant experience of managing health & safety, including developing policies, procedures and risk assessments for a diverse, technical service
• Experience of developing a strategic vision and portfolio of works across a varied and diverse site, including the design, management and implementation of landscape schemes

Qualifications

• Level 6 qualification. (Qualifications at this level include an undergraduate degree. Please view the full list.) We also welcome applicants with equivalent non-UK qualifications or equivalent professional experience.

Skills

• Lead initiatives/ projects
• Gather, analyse, interpret and report complex data/information
• Use digital technologies including Google applications and/or Microsoft Office
• Communicate to engage and influence others

Interview date: To be confirmed

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact: Kris Fieldhouse - Assistant Director Campus Services on kris.fieldhouse@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.