Parks Team Leader

Crawley Borough Council

Tilgate Park, Tilgate Dr, Crawley RH10 5PQ, UK

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 2 weeks

Parks

Full time

£30,268 - £34,887 per year

Reference: NHS547
Division: Community Services
Salary: £30,268.00 - £34,887.00 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Posted on: 18 May 2026
Interview date:08 June 2026
Extra payment(s): 14% weekend work allowance

Positions: 1
Category: Leisure and culture
Grade: E - F
Working hours: 37 per week
Closing date: 31 May 2026
Location: Tilgate Park
Location type: Onsite

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About the role

Do you have the skills and passion to lead park maintenance across some of our borough’s busiest and most loved parks? Are you motivated by creating clean, safe, welcoming green spaces and delivering an excellent experience for visitors every day?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Parks Team Leader to coordinate day-to-day park operations across Tilgate, Goffs and Broadfield Parks, lead frontline teams and ensure our major parks are managed to a high standard for residents, visitors, events and community groups.

This is a hands-on leadership role combining practical park management with team coordination and customer-focused service delivery. You will play a key role in planning, organising and prioritising work across high profile parks, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to meet seasonal demand and visitor expectations.

Working closely with the Parks and Conservation Manager, you will:

coordinate maintenance activity across busy destination parks
lead staff, gardening groups and volunteers on site
balance operational tasks with visitor engagement and service improvement
act as a visible and approachable presence within the parks

Key responsibilities:

coordinate and plan work programmes across Tilgate, Goffs and Broadfield Parks, responding to visitor numbers, seasonal pressures and events
lead and motivate park maintenance teams, ensuring safe working practices and high standards at all times
use your park management knowledge to prioritise tasks that improve cleanliness, safety, visual appeal and protect the parks’ natural environment
oversee a wide range of grounds maintenance activities including grass cutting, planting, pruning, litter management, hard surface cleaning and tree maintenance
liaise with internal support teams and contractors to ensure parks receive the right support at the right time
improve the visitor experience by engaging with park users, responding to feedback and resolving issues promptly
support events and community activities within the parks
ensure inspections are completed, issues are recorded and follow up actions are taken
act as a role model for customer care, teamwork and professional standards

What we’re looking for:

strong park and grounds maintenance knowledge, gained through hands-on experience
experience of coordinating work across large or busy outdoor sites
proven ability to lead small teams, volunteers or community groups
a practical understanding of how park management decisions impact the visitor experience
good organisational skills with the ability to plan work seasonally and in advance
excellent customer care and communication skills
confidence using a range of grounds maintenance machinery and vehicles
good IT skills, including the ability to use standard office software and digital tools
a full current UK driving licence

Qualifications in horticulture, grounds maintenance, health & safety or leadership are desirable, as is experience working in popular public parks.

Additional information

Working pattern: 37 hours per week, worked across a rota that includes regular weekends, early starts, participation in the late lock up rota, and occasional bank holidays, reflecting the needs of busy public parks.

A full and current UK driving licence will be a requirement of the role.

Satisfactory clearance of a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) will be a condition of employment.

Employee benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

At Crawley Borough Council, you will have access to a structured programme of learning from day one, designed to help you succeed in your role and grow your career.

Our way of working

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Safer recruitment

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.

How to apply

Click the Apply button to complete your application online. Please ensure that the reference details you supply are for your current or most recent employer and that any gaps in employment are covered on your application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a fully completed application form.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, contact Sarah Barnes, Parks and Business Development Manager by email sarah.barnes@crawley.gov.uk or call 01293 438714.