Planning and leading the strategic direction of the Parks and Open Spaces Service.
Developing the business internally and externally, ensuring excellent customer service, sustaining and growing traded income and to continually improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.

Responsibilities and main duties
To lead all aspects of the Parks and Open Spaces Service including defining and delivering the operational strategy to ensure the highly effective delivery of client requirements

To be a lead officer for our contribution to the Green and Blue strategic objective and plan and develop strategies to enhance the environment of areas within the city.

To develop and deliver a business plan which safeguards the high quality, cost effective delivery of core work combined with driving the commercial aspects of the service, to sustain and increase traded income

Proactively lead, develop and performance manage a team of managers/supervisors and employees to achieve the high quality delivery of the Parks and Open Spaces Service including Formal Parks, Outdoor Sports Grounds, Play Areas, Countryside, Cemeteries, Grounds Maintenance including Garden Scheme, Landscaping and Tree Management

To actively manage the service areas finances and ensure a good understanding of financial data.
Continually improving value for money against defined targets and to be innovative in identifying opportunities to generate new income streams.

To actively seek new business and income opportunities .

To ensure that parks and open spaces are effectively marketed with the delivery of a marketing plan.

To drive continuous service review, improvement and increased customer satisfaction, challenging existing practice and actively seeking ways of achieving greater outcomes. This includes challenging traditional thinking and pursuing innovation.

To work with partners and stakeholders to look for ways of improving the service.

To ensure the service is delivered through an effective safety management system (ensuring compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974), utilising best practice including accredited modern systems & procedures (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO45001), ensuring high performance and regular benchmarking.

To continually evidence, promote and champion the contribution of parks and open spaces against key agendas such as carbon reduction, health and wellbeing, community cohesion and anti-social behaviour.

To lead and contribute to service wide projects and to be an active member of the services senior management team.
To represent the company at internal and external stakeholder meetings and produce formal reports for committees.

The duties and responsibilities set out in this role profile are indicative of the role. They are however, subject to change and you will be required from time to time to undertake other duties commensurate with your grade.

Our commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to demonstrate this commitment in every aspect of their work.

Who we are looking for
A relevant professional qualification
Comprehensive experience in parks and open spaces with demonstrable track record of delivery achievement across a range of related areas.
Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams in delivering high quality public services.
Proven extensive track record of service improvements and efficiency savings in the local authority sector and in a competitive contract environment.
Contract Management and Project Management experience.
Experience of managing large budgets and large groups of staff successfully
Significant experience of recruitment and selection of staff and specialist contractors.
Experience in the design and application of quality management systems e.g. ISO
Sound technical knowledge in parks and open spaces including operations
Ability to lead, motivate and manage teams ensuring they meet stretch targets
Strong performance management skills.
Knowledge and appreciation of the key drivers affecting businesses and commercial success and failure.
Commercially & financially aware, with strong negotiating skills
Report writing skills.
Ability to work under significant pressure and meet challenging deadlines.
Good analytical and problem solving skills
Spreadsheet design and analysis skills.
Knowledge of HR policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Financial Regulations.
Educated to degree level or equivalent
ILM level 5 or equivalent (Desirable)
RHS level 2 in Horticulture (Desirable)