Operations Manager

Help lead some of Warwickshire’s most valued outdoor places

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery of five country parks, three greenways and two nature reserves. You will support and develop our ranger teams, maintain high standards across a varied public-facing estate and ensure our sites are safe, welcoming and well managed.

This is a visible and influential leadership role with the opportunity to improve services, shape how we work and make a direct difference to visitors, communities, wildlife and the wider environment.

About the Team

You will join a geographically dispersed service responsible for five country parks, three greenways and two nature reserves. Working through Senior Rangers, you will support and develop effective, resilient and customer-focused teams, including colleagues working shift patterns, and oversee three Specialist Rangers focused on key habitats.

Our staff and volunteers work across busy, varied public spaces and share a commitment to making Warwickshire’s green spaces safe, welcoming, accessible and well managed. The team works collaboratively with colleagues in ecology, forestry, property, finance, procurement, public health and communications to improve the visitor experience and increase the social, environmental and financial value of our sites.

About the role

Working closely with the Service Manager and the Strategic & Commercial Team Manager, you will provide practical, confident leadership across a diverse portfolio of sites and a geographically dispersed service. You will lead through Senior Rangers and oversee three Specialist Rangers focused on key habitats, helping colleagues to deliver consistently high standards on the ground.

You will balance the day-to-day demands of busy public spaces with longer-term service improvement. That means strengthening operational practice, supporting staff and volunteers, managing risk, improving the visitor experience and working across teams to make the most of Warwickshire’s green spaces.

You will:

• Lead, motivate and develop the teams responsible for five country parks, three greenways and two nature reserves.
• Support Senior Rangers to manage effective, resilient and customer-focused teams, including colleagues working shift patterns.
• Provide clear operational leadership, setting expectations and ensuring consistent standards across all sites.
• Take ownership of health and safety, promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring visitors, volunteers and staff are protected.
• Oversee site management, maintenance and presentation so that our outdoor spaces are welcoming, accessible and well managed.
• Respond calmly and effectively to operational issues, balancing immediate priorities with planned improvement.
• Use service information, performance measures and professional judgement to improve quality, consistency and efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the council to increase the social, environmental and financial value of our green spaces.
• Build positive relationships with partners, stakeholders and local communities.

Key Requirements

• Strong operational leadership experience in a public-facing, outdoor, environmental, estates or comparable service.
• A track record of leading managers and geographically dispersed, shift-based or multi-site teams.
• Sound judgement and a practical approach to health and safety, service quality and customer experience.
• The ability to build positive relationships, manage competing priorities and turn plans into consistently high standards on the ground.
• Experience of using performance information to identify improvements and support effective delivery.
• An interest in the contribution that well-managed green spaces make to nature recovery, health, learning and community wellbeing.

Experience of country parks, conservation or land management would be valuable, but you do not need to have worked specifically in country parks. We welcome applications from operational leaders in areas such as visitor attractions, environmental services, estates, leisure, facilities, forestry or land management who can bring strong transferable skills and a fresh perspective.

If you are excited by the role but do not meet every point, we would still encourage you to consider applying and to speak to us informally.

Why join us?

You will join a service that cares deeply about Warwickshire’s parks, people and natural environment. The role offers genuine scope to influence how a varied operational service develops, support committed colleagues and improve places used and valued by communities across the county.

We value practical leadership, collaboration, innovation and sound judgement. In return, you will have the opportunity to shape services, develop teams and leave a lasting positive impact on Warwickshire’s green spaces.

Apply today and help create places where nature and people thrive.

For further information please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

Working for Warwickshire – This is the difference you make

Warwickshire County Council is a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe, supported, and welcome. Our people are at the heart of this vision, could you be one of them!

At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is vibrant and supported by the right jobs, training, skills and infrastructure. Our people vision for Warwickshire County Council is a great place to work where diverse and talented people are enabled to be their best.

Your future matters to us, we provide a generous pension scheme which includes an employer contribution rate of typically around 19 percent per month, to help support your financial security during retirement. The scheme also offers a valuable package of benefits for members and their dependants. To find out more please visit: Warwickshire Pension Fund homepage – Warwickshire Pension Fund'

The benefits we offer include agile working, a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government, generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform.

Click here to view the benefits at Warwickshire County Council.

Additional Information

The Fluency Duty is outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. The Fluency Duty for this role is Required. You must be able to speak and provide advice in accurate spoken English to the public.

We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. We don't want to keep you waiting so we will be starting the initial shortlist and assessment process while the job advert is running. Please check your emails or applicant account via our jobs portal for any updates on your application

We would welcome an informal conversation about the role before you apply. Please email Rachel Baconnet, Service Manager, rachelbaconnet@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Closing date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Interview date: Thursday 26 November 2026

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact hrandpayroll@warwickshire.gov.uk and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.

Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce. See more