Head of Grounds & Estates (Sports & Entertainment)

Company

Premium sports grounds and supporting estate infrastructure are operated and maintained for professional football operations and spectator events.

What you will do

• Lead grounds, turf and estate maintenance across playing surfaces, training facilities, spectator zones and associated buildings.
• Design and implement turf management plans covering irrigation, drainage and aeration.
• Manage capital improvement projects for pitches, drainage and estate infrastructure from scope through completion.
• Coordinate matchday pitch preparation and presentation standards with events and operations teams.
• Procure and oversee contractors and specialist service providers while ensuring quality and compliance.
• Control maintenance budgets, develop staff training programmes and implement health, safety and environmental policies.

Requirements

• Extensive grounds or estates management experience in professional sports, large events or comparable estates.
• In-depth knowledge of turf science, pitch construction, drainage systems and irrigation.
• Experience delivering capital projects and managing multidisciplinary contractors.
• Financial acumen, including maintenance budgets and procurement processes.
• Leadership experience in staff development and performance management.
• Full driving licence and willingness to work evening, weekend and other unsocial hours during matchdays and events.

Nice to have

• Vocational or professional qualifications in horticulture, turf management or facilities maintenance.
• Transferable experience from grounds, facilities or estate roles in sports or large-scale events.

Culture & Benefits

• Performance-related bonus opportunities.
• Professional development and industry qualification support.
• Match ticket and venue hospitality discounts for selected events.
• Occupational pension scheme, employer-contributed benefits and a contributory healthcare plan.
• Wellbeing resources, uniforms, tools and equipment provided where required.