Grounds and Civils Manager

Dodington Park Estate is on the boundary between South Gloucestershire and the county of Bristol balanced on the Cotswold Escarpment. At the centre of the estate is Dodington House an 18th Century Georgian mansion which is currently being used as a private home.

We are looking for a Grounds and Civils Manager to join an established team of eight. This role will report to the Estate Manager. When you come to work at Dodington Park, you’ll be joining a team of dedicated employees who work towards the renovation and maintenance of the house and surrounding estate, where we always strive to achieve the highest possible standards of work and craftsmanship.

Our employees are offered a competitive reward package, including the following benefits:

• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Private medical and dental cover.
• Pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays).
• Learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric Vehicle scheme
• Free annual flu jab.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to product discounts
• Charitable Giving via payroll (Give as You Earn).
• Free parking

Key Responsibilities

• Principal accountability for care and maintenance of relevant areas of DPE. This includes ensuring that trees and hedges are kept in a safe and healthy condition, cutting of grass and planting trees and shrubs. Ensure that designated indoor work areas organised and pest free.
• Day to day management of the grounds, including parkland, grass areas, woodlands, pheasant pens, gardens, arboretums and open areas.
• Manage a team with a diverse workload, from general repair & maintenance work to specialist/technically complex projects; allocating work for within DPE and associated land/properties.
• Write annual works schedules and supervise/organise works on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.
• Complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ensure work undertaken and equipment used complies with current regulations/standards; arranging for external quality assurance where necessary.
• Oversee and write risk assessments and lifting plans.
• Order relevant kit, tools, plant and other items required for the role/department.
• Organise repairs, tax, MOTs and servicing of machinery, vehicles and mowers.
• Understand the use of relevant plant/machinery and ability to select the correct plant/machine for a job.
• Read and understand drawings, take information from these and apply on site.
• Operate Excavators and Dumpers with a good level of competency.
• Manage installation of services including drainage, ducting, power and water.
• Manage installation of concrete, under pinning, steel reinforcement and form work.
• Manage installation of roadways, hard standings and yards of various finishes.
• Organise and deal with contractors, including undertaking health & safety inductions
• Liaise with other managers and colleagues to ensure workflow remains efficient and coordinated.
• Create, manage and monitor a budget; always ensure a focus on ‘value for money’.
• Manage your team’s workload - planning aims, objectives and priorities.
• Manage your team’s time – assigning and delegating work appropriately.
• Oversee training requirements for the team.
• Ensure you and your team abide by all Estate’s policies and procedures.
• Carry out Toolbox Talks and Team Briefings.
• Hold one-to-ones and performance appraisals and provide coaching and feedback to your reports.
• Work with HR to resource plan and recruit for your team.
• Uphold and maintain Estate Values.
• Any other ad hoc duties.

Health and Safety Responsibilities      

• Work with the Health & Safety Manager/Consultants as required.
• Act as a Health and Safety role model.
• Ensure all HSE procedures are complied with by all persons under your supervision and that the relevant health and safety documentation in place, prior to commencing work (including external contractors that you have procured).

Person specification / Core Competencies:

• Significant experience within a similar role.
• Ideally a member of the Institute of Groundsmanship or equivalent body.
• IOSH/NEBOSH (or similar) health and safety qualification (or willing to undertake).
• Qualified to operate Excavators and Dumpers.
• Hold a tractor trailer grade license (not essential.
• Knowledge of design and install processes for all areas in the key responsibilities.
• Whilst a horticultural background is not essential, a demonstrable interest in gardening/nature is required.
• An interest in conservation management together with knowledge of statutory compliance in this respect.
• Good knowledge of arboriculture.
• A knowledge and practical application of the Health and Safety at Work Act and associated legislation. In particular, competence in the handling of chemicals or fuels and the safe operation of various types of machinery and plant.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Computer literate.
• Professional manner.
• Confident numeracy skills.
• Positive approach to problem solving, demonstrating use of initiative.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Confident communication skills.
• Proactive and flexible approach to work.
• Willing to take responsibility and ownership for tasks.
• Strong sense of discretion, appreciating the confidentiality of the work.
• Ability to work autonomously whilst possessing strong teamwork skills.
• Valid driving license.

To increase your chances of being short listed please submit a covering letter in addition to your CV clearly addressing how you meet the criteria outlined above and including details of your required package.