Head of Grounds and Gardens

Epsom College is offering a rare opportunity to lead and transform 85 acres of stunning grounds into a benchmark of excellence. As Head of Grounds and Gardens, you'll take full ownership of preparation, performance and projects from concept to completion, elevating elite sports facilities, formal gardens, and ecological spaces while driving sustainability and innovation.

This is a hands on leadership role for someone passionate about working outdoors, delivering world class sports surfaces, and championing cutting edge turf management. You'll collaborate with top sports professionals and position Epsom College as a hub for elite performance.

If you want to make a lasting impact and lead the way in sustainable grounds management, this is your moment.

Accountabilities

On a day to day basis accountable to the Director of Campus Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead, develop and advise on the strategic relationship with Commercial Grounds Care (our outsourced grounds provider) and manage contract KPIs and SLAs.
• When required, provide day to day leadership to any Grounds and Gardens staff.
• Manage all external contractors on site including permits, site induction and safeguarding.
• Ensure safe systems of work are in place and documented including RAMS, COSHH, PUWER, manual handling, noise/vibration, plant competence, chemical/fuel storage, and spill response.
• Support academic, alumni, and commercial events including setup and reinstatement; liaise with Lettings regarding availability, facilities, and standards.
• Lead the College's severe weather response plans.

Sports Turf and Gardens Standards

• Ensure all natural turf and artificial surfaces are prepared, maintained, and renovated to meet sport specific standards and align with the academic and fixtures calendar (rugby, football, hockey, cricket, athletics, etc.).
• Lead the development and enhancement of ornamental and ecological areas, ensuring they are safe, biodiverse, visually impactful and contribute to a long term vision for the College.
• Maintain a live risk register and Estate improvement plan including health and safety documentation, environmental compliance, and safeguarding boundaries including benchmark quality against GMA Performance Quality Standards.

Strategy and Development

• In conjunction with the Directors of Campus Operations and Sport, design and deliver the development of a 5-10 year Outdoor Sports Facilities Plan, including capacity analysis, usage modelling, condition baselines, lifecycle planning, pitch preparation and recovery and capital investment cases.
• Set and manage operational and capital budgets for grounds and gardens; procure machinery (where necessary), materials, and services in line with financial controls.

What we are looking for

• A passionate, hands on leader with deep expertise in sports turf and grounds management. (e.g., GMA/IOG Level 3-5, HNC/HND in Sports Turf or Horticulture).
• Experienced within a school or educational environment would be a big plus.
• Skilled in contract and supplier management.
• Confident working with industry standards (GMA PQS, SAPCA, Sport England, ECB TS4, PA1/PA2/PA6 certification or willingness to obtain).
• Calm, organised, and highly capable in a dynamic, seasonal environment.
• Committed to sustainability, biodiversity, and continuous improvement.
• Practical, resilient, and at home working outdoors in all conditions.

Terms and Conditions

• Hours: The times of working to be 8.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday with participation in the Saturday rota for sports fixtures as required and may vary depending on the time of the year. Out-of-hours working may be necessary to respond to emergencies, including those related to sporting fixtures and adverse weather conditions.
• Salary: £45k-£55k depending on the knowledge and experience. Subsidised on site accommodation will also be provided to the successful candidate.
• Holidays: Entitlement will be 28 days per annum, inclusive of bank holidays. This entitlement rises by one day per year up to a maximum of 33 days per annum inclusive of bank holidays.
• Pension: Auto enrolment defined benefit scheme. If eligible, the employee will be required to contribute a minimum of 5% of basic salary and the College will contribute 4%.

Employee Benefits

• Life Assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to them;
• School Fee Discount: available subject to qualifying conditions;
• Health Care Plan: offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions;
• Employee Assistance Plan: Offered to staff including counselling
• Dining Facilities and Refreshments: Whilst at work meals and refreshments are available when the dining room is open at no cost;
• Health Fitness and Wellbeing: Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times;
• Cycle to Work/Parking: The College offers a cycle to work loan scheme subject to a qualifying period. Free car parking for staff is available on campus;
• Computer Loan: The College offers a computer loan scheme subject to qualifying conditions.

Offer of Post

The post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and accessible platforms to ascertain applicant's suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on candidates that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs will not be accepted. Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure policy on the College website.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and appointment may occur at any stage after applications are received. Please apply as soon as possible.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process an enhanced check by the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required. Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.