Job Title: Head Grounds Person

Accountable to: Director of Cricket

Contract: Permanent

Hours: minimum 40 hours per week including evenings, weekends and bank holidays are required within peak season (March – Sept)

Salary: Competitive, negotiable

Location: Taunton

Closing date: 29 October 2023

The Role:

An exciting and high-profile opportunity has arisen at Somerset County Cricket Club for a skilled and experienced grounds person to join us and be a key leader in the delivery of an ambitious strategy, which includes significant development of our venues and playing facilities.

You will be responsible for leading our capable and committed grounds team in preparing and delivering outstanding playing and practice facilities for all elite men’s and women’s fixtures at the County Ground, Taunton. Alongside this, you’ll hold overall responsibility for turf provision at our second ground. Your passion for the latest turf management

techniques and best practice is obvious and you are driven to produce the highest standard of pitches.

We are looking for a collaborative individual with a positive, engaging, can-do attitude who is committed to attaining the Club’s objectives. You’ll have experience in leading a team, with the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve excellence, with demonstrable negotiation, influencing and communication skills. You value personal and professional development for yourself and your team members. You are calm under pressure and an effective decision-maker. You have previously managed budgets, are well organised with strong administration and IT skills.

To be successful in this role you will need to have:

• experience in a senior grounds management role at an elite cricket or sporting facility and being involved in producing high-quality pitches for elite cricket
• hold a minimum of NVQ Level 2 in Turf Science or equivalent
• experience of reconstructing pitches and playing surfaces rejuvenation
• knowledge of modern sports turf processes and innovation

Please visit our careers page for the full job description and information about how to apply: https://somersetcricketclub.teamtailor.com/jobs/3200242-head-grounds-person?promotion=784292-trackable-share-link-hgp_turf-business

You’ll need to refer to the job description within your application to show how you meet the essential criteria.

Selected candidates will be invited to a first stage interview via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 9 November 2023.

Further shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second stage interview to be held face to face at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Tuesday 14 November 2023.

We use fair and safe recruitment methods therefore we don’t review CVs as part of our selection process. Please provide as much detail as possible in your application responses as this is how we select candidates for the next stage of the process.

You will need to be eligible to work in the UK.