Job Title: Senior Groundsperson
Department: Grounds
Location: Training Ground
Salary: £30,700

Click here to apply directly on the company website

Main Purpose of Job:
Ipswich Town Football Club are seeking a Senior Grounds Person who is enthusiastic, self- motived to work alongside a team. With the ongoing development of the training ground pitches and landscaping with a new stadium pitch build in 2023, it is an exciting time to be part of the ITFC Grounds Team.

The Senior Groundsperson will be able to manage and motivate staff, along with the Head Groundsperson, as well as working alongside other Grounds staff to maintain the training ground to a high standard with a strong attention to detail.
You will be mainly based at the training ground but can be asked to work at the stadium. Working hours will be 40 hours a week 07:30am – 16:00pm. There will be unsociable working hours due to player training, matches or in the event of adverse weather condition.

Our Values
You will be expected to work in line with our values which are:

High Standards: Our aim is to create an environment of excellence everyone is driven to perform at their best and uphold quality in every aspect of their work.

Learning:  We share a commitment to continuous growth adaptability, the pursuit of knowledge and having a growth mindset.

Unity, Family Spirit:  We aim to create and foster a collaborative, caring, and supportive culture where people work together with trust and respect.

Integrity:  To operate a strong moral foundation where trust, fairness, and ethical behaviour guide every decision, and interaction. Empowering employees to act with honest and respect.

Doing it our way:  We are committed to creating an environment that allows flexibility, individuality and creatively, leading to a more dynamic and personalized workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• To assist the Head Grounds person and the Grounds Manager to plan and carry out the operations to maintain football pitches at the Training Ground for both the academy and the professional team squads to a high level.
• To help lead the team alongside the Head Groundsperson and Grounds Manager.
• Using machinery including tractors, mowers, and hand tools safely and responsibly
• Operate the irrigation system.
• Fertilise and spray pitches.
• Marking out pitches to a good standard.
• Divotting
• Assist in maintaining lawn areas, shrub beds and keeping paths tidy.
• Maintaining a clean grounds yard and machinery storage area.
• Carry out basis prestart check and cleaning down of machinery after use.
• Report machinery/system faults to the Grounds Manager.
• Show a can-do attitude and work proactively within the team.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least 3 years’ experience working in the sports turf industry.
• Advanced knowledge of turf management.

Desirable:

• Previous experience managing other staff will be beneficial.

Skills and Abilities:

Essential:

• Skilled in operating and maintaining machinery and other grounds equipment.
• Health and Safety compliance
• Good communication skills

Education and Training:

• Level 3 (or working towards) Sports Turf Management or Horticulture.
• Spraying certificate in Pa1, 2 & 6

Other Requirements:

• Full Driving Licence.

What good looks like:

• Reflects Club values and culture
• Demonstrates strong leadership qualities
• Effective Communication with all Internal departments.
• Demonstrate behaviours including accountability, honesty, commitment, positivity
• Works for the benefit of the team

Line Manager: Grounds Manager
Responsible for: Grounds Staff
Works closely with: Grounds team and other departments within the Training Ground facilities.
Does the role require DBS: Yes

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Will demonstrate a positive commitment towards equality, diversity and inclusion by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Safeguarding:
Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all employees to share this commitment and promote the welfare of these groups. Applicants will be asked about any previous convictions, cautions, reprimands, including those that are considered ‘spent’ as defined by the Rehabilitation Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amended 2013).