Head Groundsman at Braeburn Schools

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)