A head groundsman requires practical skills, technical knowledge, and leadership qualities.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervise, appraise, schedule leave days, and allocate duties to the grounds staff members on-site.

Ensure all grounds staff adhere to company policies and align with current CBA guidelines.

Design and cost soft and hard landscaping projects within the compound.

Procure tools and materials necessary for landscaping and gardening tasks.

Ensure all gardening and landscaping work is performed safely and to a high standard while training and guiding staff on duties, equipment use, and best practices.

Supervise external contractors working on grounds-related areas.

Maintain all potted plants, hedges, shrubs, and live fences, ensuring they are neat and healthy at all times.

Ensure all drains and stormwater channels are clear of litter and well maintained.

Ensure adherence to company policies and occupational health and safety standards, including the use of PPs.

Serve as the liaison between line management and the grounds staff.

Rotate grounds staff periodically to enhance collaboration, boost motivation, and prevent complacency.

Oversee KPI responsibilities, including the duty rota, BGE Works, Walkabout Reports, and related grounds documentation.

Academic qualification and Professional experience:

Minimum 3-5 years of experience in landscaping in a recognized institution.

Diploma in landscaping, horticulture, turf management, grounds maintenance, or a related field.

Health & safety training (e.g., COSHH, risk assessments, manual handling)—Preferred

Experience managing a small team and coordinating rotas or schedules

Experience with grounds equipment and machinery (e.g., mowers, strimmers, irrigation systems)

Key competencies:

Knowledge of horticultural practices and landscaping & pest control management

Good understanding of turf care, tree maintenance, and seasonal planting

Budgeting and resource planning

Problem-solving and decision-making skills

Landscaping: planting, pruning, and maintaining trees, shrubs, flower plants, and other landscaping features

Communication skills — especially with staff, vendors, and management

Written reporting (e.g. maintenance logs, risk assessments, walkabout reports)

Demonstrates proactiveness, strong organisational and planning skills, and effective leadership with the ability to lead from the front.

Strong work ethic and high standards of maintenance

Able to perform duties under pressure with minimal supervision

Familiarity with sustainability practices (e.g. composting, water conservation etc)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, excel, outlook, google drive)