Inspire the future of our green spaces

This is a career-defining chance to take responsibility for 432 parks and green spaces, 2,217 hectares, 54,000 trees and 9 cemeteries and crematoria across the Bristol region. We face a fascinating challenge with projects such as the multi-million regeneration of Ashton Court and Blaise Castle falling into our remit. Furthermore, having recently been awarded a £1million heritage fund donation, we are determined to drive forward a vital and varied portfolio of projects that will deliver maximum benefits for our local communities. We are therefore looking for a dynamic leader who will take the helm of these, plus other high priority projects, driving the relevant changes and programmes to ensure they are reaching their full potential. 

Establish your ideas in a supportive team

Devising and implementing a clear vision for Bristol’s parks and green spaces, you will creatively imagine how best to use the sites and generate income in the process. We will look to you to develop and nurture strategic partnerships that will enable your various projects, you’ll drive our commercial approach and oversee all income-generating activities for the estate, including the commercial side of the cafes, which currently generate around £3million per year. Whether identifying landscaping needs, monitoring contracts or implementing community schemes, this is a highly visible role in which you will attend cabinet meetings and brief the press – so you will be capable of balancing a multi-faceted workload. 

Share your wisdom and experience

As a highly driven and results-focussed individual, you will be a dynamic, adaptable and inspirational leader who has excellent people skills. Capable of working with everyone from Cabinet Ministers to members of the media, you will have experience of working effectively with communities to create great public spaces. Experience in leading large-scale projects is essential, so you will ideally come from a corporate background, cemented by experience or a degree or professional qualification in parks and green spaces, or public sector service delivery. With a good grasp of health and safety requirements, you will be commercially and financially astute.

What you can expect

Alongside a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, you will enjoy 24 days of leave plus all bank holidays, rising to 29 days after five years’ continuous service. Optional extras such as the chance to ‘buy’ holiday are available, and you will have plenty of flexibility to adopt agile working practices. We benefit from attractive open-plan offices, though you will inevitably spend much of your time out of the office at any one of our 1,652 sites – and there is great scope for a good work/life balance too. With the backing of a supportive management team and colleagues who are genuinely passionate about their work, this is a role like no other.

Relocation expenses of up to £8,000 would be available subject to meeting the terms and conditions of our relocation policy.

To apply, please visit our site.  You will need to submit your CV along with a covering letter as the first page of your CV (so it is one document) summarising your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria.

Closing date: Midnight, Monday 11 November 2019.

Assessment/Interviews: 27 November 2019.

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the City we serve.  We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community.