Established as an independent charity in 1992, The Parks Trust expertly cares for over 6,000 acres of beautiful and inspirational green space in Milton Keynes including parks, ancient woodlands, lakes, river valleys and 80 miles of landscaped areas along the city’s grid roads.
In most towns and cities, parkland is owned by the local authority, but Milton Keynes’ founders were pioneers and decided to do things differently. Their vision was to create a new town where the parkland and landscapes would be protected forever by a charity that was separate from local government. Doing so would ensure that, as the new town grew, its green spaces would never be compromised or have to fight for funding.
That all became a reality when The Parks Trust was set up in 1992. The new charity was given a 999-year lease on a total of 4,500 acres of Milton Keynes and an endowment of property valued at £20m. Returns on these carefully managed investments generate the primary source of income required to fund the charity’s wide-ranging work today and forever.
Over 100 staff and 240 volunteers deliver the essential work of The Parks Trust. In addition to landscaping and maintenance tasks, that also includes providing valuable recreation and leisure facilities, connecting communities at over 500 outdoor events each year, and advancing public education around the wildlife, biodiversity, and the environment.
As Milton Keynes grows, so does The Parks Trust. Each year, the charity takes on new green spaces and endowments from developers to cover costs in perpetuity. This approach ensures that all new areas of the city benefit from the same quality of inspiring, connected landscape and Milton Keynes remains a great place to live, work and play.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone on a 12-month fixed-term basis help ensure Milton Keynes continues to be a green city through the delivery of new green infrastructure and bringing this into the care of The Parks Trust under its exemplar model of parkland stewardship.
HOURS & SALARY INFO
Hours
* 37.5 hours per week - Monday to Friday
* Occasional evening work.
Salary
* £34,390 - £36,200 per annum.
Key Objectives
1. To help ensure Milton Keynes continues to be a green city that benefits from a network of well-designed green infrastructure (GI) by monitoring the planning and delivery of new parks, play areas, open spaces in the city’s growth and development areas.
2. To engage with developers, planners and designers in the planning and design of new GI projects, so the projects are delivered in accordance with the policies and requirements of Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) and the Parks Trust.
3. To promote the Parks Trust’s role of being the primary adopting body for new parks and green spaces in Milton Keynes.
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHED.
Requirements
Essential
* A base understanding of the parks and landscape sector and the core principles and practical requirements of green infrastructure planning, delivery and management
* Project administration skills and competence in managing and maintaining records and progress reporting.
* Ability to work independently and to communicate confidently and assertively with a range of stakeholders and agents
* An understanding of the process of construction/landscape project planning development and delivery
* Ability to read and interpret landscape design drawings and specifications, construction drawings, site plans, etc.
* Ability to use, populate and interpret template spreadsheets in the context of calculating landscape maintenance costs
Desirable
* A landscape management or project management qualification.
* Experience of using geographical information systems to a basic skill level
* Experience in the parks/landscape management sector
* A knowledge of the planning and development process in a context relevant to the provision of open space and green infrastructure in areas of new urban growth.
In return, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:
* Competitive salary.
* Ongoing support and training.
* Excellent contributory pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution).
* Income protection and life assurance cover after qualifying period.
* Enhanced family friendly policies after qualifying period.
* Home Working policy.
* Occupational sick pay.
* Cycle to Work scheme.
* Discounted gym membership.
* Salary sacrifice schemes for tech & electric cars.
* Generous annual leave allowance.
* Wellbeing day off per year.
* Buying and Selling option for annual leave.
* Medical Cash Plan.
* Access to employee wellbeing helpline.
* Discount for Willen Lake activities and café.
* Free eye tests.
* Great office in a parkland setting with free parking.
Application process
Please apply online using the link through our website using Cezanne.
* Deadline for applications on 7th August 2025
* 1st Stage Teams Interviews - Friday 15th August 2025
* 2nd Stage In Person interviews - Thursday 21st August 2025
The Parks Trust is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, Charity Commission guidance and best practice standards.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
If you need additional support with your application or would like further information, please contact recruitment@theparkstrust.com.