R2R103719 - 105854 - Head of Parks & Open Spaces

Your New Organisation

Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.

Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.

Your new role

Southend-on-Sea is an ambitious, growing city - vibrant, diverse, and proud of its stunning coastline, green spaces, and thriving communities. At the heart of this is our award-winning Parks and Open Spaces service, which frequently attract Green Flag awards. We are now looking for an exceptional leader to take this success to the next level. As Head of Parks and Open Spaces, you will have the opportunity to strategically shape service delivery for the city, influencing how green spaces are managed and enhanced through innovative approaches and future focused planning. This is a role that goes beyond operational excellence - it's about creating a sustainable legacy for future generations, embedding climate resilience, biodiversity, and community wellbeing at the core of everything we do. You will lead a large and diverse portfolio, including parks, allotments, cemeteries, tree management, outdoor sports facilities, and Southend's own nursery. With responsibility for significant budgets and a workforce of around 150 FTE, you will ensure services are safe, legal, and compliant while driving continuous improvement and innovation. This is a pivotal moment for Southend. With devolution and regional collaboration shaping the future of local government, you will play a key role in forging partnerships across Essex and beyond, influencing policy and delivery models that benefit residents, business and visitors alike. Your ability to build alliances, mentor teams, and proactively engage with elected Members will be critical to success.

What you'll need to succeed

We are looking for a progressive, visionary leader with deep expertise in parks and open spaces, strong commercial acumen, and a proven track record of delivering high quality, customer focused services. You will combine strategic thinking with operational credibility, and you will be passionate about sustainability, innovation, and community impact.

What you'll get in return

When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training. A full list of benefits provided by Southend Council can be viewed on the "Why Work For Us?" tab.

What you need to do now

If you are ready to take on a role where your leadership will shape the future of one of the UK's most exciting cities - and influence the wider regional agenda - we would love to hear from you. For an informal discussion, please contact Simon Winspear at our recruitment partners, Hays Executive, on or email

If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up to date copy of your CV.

If you would like a copy the Job Description, please click here.

Please note: Applications for this vacancy may close prior to the date advertised above so you are advised to apply as soon as you are able to.

The Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications, regardless of race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, age or religion or belief.