Position: Deputy Head of Grounds

Department: Grounds

Reporting to: Head of Grounds & Estates

Contract: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5 (5 days out of 7)

We know that our greatest asset is our people, so we’re always on the lookout for likeminded team players, who strive for the best, to join us. Whichever part of the group you work for you will be involved with delivering memorable experiences to the highest standards.

Job purpose:

To assist the Head of Grounds and Estates with the management and maintenance of pitches, landscapes, machinery, workshop, and yards.

How to apply:

To apply for any job listed you’ll need to download our Application Form, complete it, and send it to careers@stadiummk.com. Please note we do not accept CVs as part of an application. Download application form

Due to the high level of applicants we receive, if you have not been contacted within 7 days of the job advert closing, you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. We would like to thank you for your interest in our company.

Role Competencies:

Planning Timescales:

• Appropriately plan for the preparation, repair and renovation of all playing surfaces under your management, as directed by the Head of Grounds and Estates.
• Plan appropriate staffing schedules, as requested.
• Assist in the planning of annual pitch renovations
• Assist with planning fertiliser, chemical, artificial lighting and irrigation programs.
• Order and organise site deliveries and contractual works when required. Decision Making:
• Make impactful, day to day and strategic decisions to ensure the provision of elite playing surfaces throughout the season.
• Prioritise work accordingly to ensure all agreed objectives are met. Impact & Influence:
• Actively contribute to the creation of a high-performance environment by ensuring all duties are completed with pride, consistency and to the best of your ability.
• Work collaboratively with various colleagues and stakeholders in the delivery of internal and external events.
• Provide support to colleagues and other areas of the Business as and when required. • The ability to adapt to different and changing situations.
• Possess high levels of motivation to achieve the highest standards attainable.

Skill Level:

• Maintain and prepare sports playing surfaces and facilities, to the highest of possible standards achievable across all sites.
• Implement and review a regular testing and analysis programme to ensure consistent playing surfaces. • Appropriately set, operate, and maintain sports turf machinery and equipment including but not limited to, mowers, tractors, tractor mounted attachments, sprayers, aerators irrigation, undersoil heating and artificial lighting.
• Appropriately and safely apply fertilizers and chemicals using a range of methods.
• Ensure all playing surfaces are set out and marked, as approiate, prior to each session.
• Ensure all goals and pitch playing equipment is maintained and set up appropriately to ensue safe use.
• carry out routine maintenance on sprinklers and the system. • Ensue all playing surfaces are safe to use before daily sessions.
• The ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team.
• The ability to remain calm and efficient when working under pressure.

Communication:

• Liaise with senior football and coaching staff regarding training and Stadium pitch usage, including the communication of pitch protection plans.
• Provide clear communication to staff to ensure all objectives are completed in a safe and timely manner.
• Accurately comprehend and follow both verbal and written instruction, as provided by the Head of Grounds and Estates, to ensure all objectives are completed in a safe and timely manner.

Budget Management:

• Ensure all budgetary actions are with the remit of the role.

Lead & Develop:

• Promote high standards and lead by example in the delivery of efficient day to day operations as Deputy Head of Grounds.
• Constantly strive to improve and develop the Department and playing surfaces. • Remain up to date with advances in the field of Sports Turf through a commitment to regular CPD activities.
• Assist in the management and development of Grounds Staff under your management.

Operating Parameters:

• Assist the Head of Grounds and Estates with the strategic and day-day operation of Grounds Department to ensure all objectives are met.
• Deputise for the Head of Grounds, as required.
• Ensure the health and safety requirements, policies and procedures are met and remain up-to-date.
• Ensure PPE is worn as appropriate during department operations.
• Ensure all Grounds Department areas are kept tidy and safe.
• Ensure staff are trained and confident on machinery and the tasks they are set.
• Assist the Head of Grounds in maintaining staff annual leave, sickness, and lieu time records.
• Accurately collect and record data for departmental activities and write formal reports as required.
• Assist with any other reasonable duties as directed by management staff. Essential & Desirable

Job Criteria: Essential

• Hold NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Horticulture/Sports Turf Management.
• PA 1, 2, 6 Spraying Certificates.
• Full Driving Licence.
• Previous experience of working within the Sports Turf industry.
• Possess a flexible approach to work, while working across multiple sites. The role will include working weekends and evenings.

Desirable

• Experience of assisting in the management of a sports turf site.
• Experience of working in Professional Football.
• Experience using Data collection systems.
• Experience of providing formal sports turf reports.

This role contains physically demanding aspects, occurring in a multitude of weather conditions, which we determine to involve the following:

• Walking – there is a lot of walking associated with this role, as an example there is a requirement to mow the football pitch which could be a walk in excess of 10km.
• Standing – there will be periods of long standing, as an example there is a requirement to stand and slow walk for 3 hours while devoting a pitch.
• Bending – there will be a requirement to bend while completing task such pitch marking, weeding, divoting and cleaning equipment.
• Stretching- there will be a requirement to stretch while completing task such pitch marking, weeding, divoting and cleaning equipment.
• Lifting- there will be a requirement to lift heavy objects, such as a bag of fertilizer which weights 25kg.
• Carrying- there will be a requirement to carry heavy objects, such as a container of liquid which weights 25kg.