Shape Manchester’s Green Future
Manchester City Council is looking for an inspiring Operations Lead – Grounds Maintenance, Biodiversity, Arbor & Play – a role at the heart of creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable city.
Why This Role Matters
Our parks and green spaces are the lifeblood of Manchester – 143 parks, 1.3 million trees, and iconic destinations such as Heaton Park and Wythenshawe Park. They’re where communities connect, nature thrives, and climate resilience begins. As Operations Lead – Technical Grounds, you’ll play a central role in delivering high‑quality services that keep these spaces safe, sustainable, and welcoming for everyone.
What You’ll Do
* Lead with impact: Manage the operational delivery of grounds maintenance, arbor services, biodiversity initiatives, and maintenance of play facilities across the city.
* Drive improvement: Implement innovative approaches to service delivery, ensuring efficiency, value for money, and continuous improvement.
* Champion sustainability: Embed biodiversity and climate goals into everyday operations, supporting Manchester’s zero‑carbon ambition.
* Manage resources: Coordinate teams and budgets effectively, ensuring compliance with health & safety and statutory requirements.
* Collaborate and influence: Work closely with internal services and external partners including Housing Providers, City of Trees and Britain in Bloom to deliver joined‑up solutions that meet community needs.
We’re Looking For a Proven Leader Who Brings
* Strategic vision and strong value‑for‑money focus, with the ability to optimise resources, commissioning and service delivery.
* Strong financial expertise, including experience managing complex budgets and achieving financial targets.
* Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams, lead change, and foster continuous improvement.
* Expertise in arboriculture, biodiversity management, and play area safety standards.
* Experience managing operational assets, including vehicles, plant, machinery, and supplies.
* Outstanding communication and political awareness, with the ability to influence and build effective partnerships.
* Commitment to compliance, health & safety, and statutory requirements.
* A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and Our Manchester Behaviours.
Qualifications
* Hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) and bring at least five years of experience leading similar operations in similar sectors.
* Proven experience working in accordance with BS EN 1176 and BS EN 1177 playground safety standards. RPII Level 2 Operational Inspector qualification is highly desirable.
* Technical qualification in arboriculture (e.g., LANTRA, City & Guilds) or equivalent experience, with strong practical knowledge of tree surveying, inspection techniques, and risk‑management principles.
* Knowledge equivalent to RHS Level 3 in Practical Horticulture, with strong practical skills in plant care, cultivation and landscape maintenance.
* Good understanding of biodiversity, sustainable planting, ecological gardening and habitat enhancement in parks and public spaces.
* Skilled in habitat creation, species‑rich planting and environmentally responsible land management to support urban ecology and green‑space resilience.
* Competent in using asset‑management and inspection systems to support accurate data recording, compliance monitoring and effective operational planning.
* Knowledge and practical experience of project management, procurement and contract management, including drafting specifications, evaluating tenders, monitoring contractor performance and ensuring compliance with Council policies and statutory requirements.
* Ability to capture and manage grounds‑maintenance and land‑management records using GIS systems, ensuring accurate mapping, data integrity and effective operational planning.
Preferable minimum: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Management (or equivalent qualification/experience).
Project Management qualification desirable.
Benefits We Offer
* Generous holiday allowance – 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Additional leave can be purchased up to two additional weeks.
* A comprehensive pension scheme with life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
* Enhanced parental and carers leave.
* Brilliant perks – discounts on shopping, holidays, cycle‑to‑work scheme, free flu jabs, eye tests, and more.
* Learning and development opportunities – workshops, training sessions, apprenticeships and qualifications, all starting with a comprehensive onboarding process.
* A Good Employment Charter membership offering secure, flexible work and excellent health and wellbeing support.
* Up to 3 days pro‑rated volunteering leave.
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering
* A workplace adjustment hub providing specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
* Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network for a safe inclusive space to share experiences and influence council practice.
* A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels' minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
* Members of the Armed Forces (members or veterans)
* Current or former care leavers
* Have a disability or long‑term condition
When You Join Us
We are committed to providing a secure, flexible working environment, recognising the hard work of our staff, and offering a fair, inclusive and transformative workplace culture.
Our Core Values – The Our Manchester Behaviours
* We take time to listen and understand.
* We work together and trust each other.
* We value diversity and treat each other fairly.
* We ‘own it’ and are not afraid to try new things.
* We are proud and passionate about Manchester.
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