The Estates Grounds Manager will primarily be based at RGS Hartswood Sports facility. This role is pivotal in ensuring the high standard and efficient running of the schools sports grounds of some 32 acres. The grounds include cricket, rugby, football, two all-weather hockey/tennis surfaces and athletics. A high standard of customer service is essential in the role, which is responsible for a prestigious school sports ground that caters for over 1000 pupils, their parents and visiting schools, together with experience of management, budget control, health and safety and IT. The established grounds staff team consists of three people. The Estates Grounds Manager is employed by the school within the Estates team, working directly to the Deputy Estates Manager and Estates Manager on all day-to-day matters. Ultimately, the role is responsible to school Bursar. The Estates Grounds Manager will be expected to work in close liaison on a day-to-day basis with the Director of Sport and the Deputy Estates Manager/Estates Manager. This is a balanced role of Estates Grounds Management tasks with some hands-on elements of work being an active member of the grounds team. RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES To be responsible for ensuring that the grounds team provide first class playing surfaces, sports pitches and other grounds areas at all times. To be responsible for the production, preparation, maintenance, supervision and day-to-day co-ordination of the playing surfaces for sports to the highest recognised industry standards. To ensure that pupils, staff, parents and visitors have the best possible experience of using the playing fields, grounds and general facilities on site. To prepare, implement and monitor weekly, monthly and annual maintenance programmes in line with evolving development plans to ensure the highest standards of playing surface presentation. To liaise with the Director of Sport and other sports event organisers to understand and help deliver services to meet their requirements and the sports programme. To build good relationships with the RGS Sports team members (and external users) to fully understand and support their requirements and sports programme. To recognise and embrace the importance of ensuring that school sports fixtures are fulfilled whenever it is reasonable for them to be played; to recommend no play decisions to the Bursar and Director of Sport should this prove necessary. To maintain external sports equipment ensuring it is in good condition (safe to use), clean with suitable secure storage arrangements in place. To oversee security arrangements of the RGS Hartswood site and its buildings. Actively check the pavilion, other buildings and services within day-to-day usage and work closely with the Estates Managers on any maintenance repairs or checks needed outside the remit of the grounds team. To manage the upkeep of equipment ensuring that all machinery is safe to use, suitable for purpose and specific works with an effective service and maintenance schedule in place to maximise availability for each season of work. To possess a thorough understanding of Health & Safety legislation relating to chemicals and dangerous substances in use and implement the required COSHH controls and storage arrangements. Promote safe working practices within the grounds team. Additional training and professional support available. To conduct relevant Health & Safety Risk Assessments required for the site and works undertaken at RGS Hartswood, ensuring accurate and up to date records are maintained working closely with the Estates Managers and Health and Safety providers to create a safe working environment and achieve compliance. Working closely with Line Manager to prepare, propose, manage and monitor a grounds management budget, which incorporates labour resources, ground maintenance materials, external contractors costs, machinery purchase and maintenance and capital works. To lead, motivate and develop the Grounds team to deliver a high level of service by achieving their tasks, seasonal work schedules and the provision of support for weekend sports, tournaments and high-profile events. To facilitate and supervise contract staff and contractors on site conducting grounds-related works at RGS Hartswood. To encourage the continued professional development for all members of the Grounds team, taking forward any training needs to the Estates Managers and Bursar. To participate willingly in any training required by the school on whole school matters (Safeguarding, fire etc.) To improve continuously and evolve the role and the Grounds team to deliver consistently on the schools priorities always presented in a professional and friendly manner. Actively advise and assist the prep schools Operations Managers on their grounds and sports facility improvements where your expertise and industry knowledge can help with specific grounds work plans and projects. PERSON SPECIFICATION: Ground Management experience necessary. Have good management/supervisory skills and experience to plan workloads, allocate duties, manage performance. Be able to work on own initiative, lead the team whilst also operating flexibly within the team as the workload demands. Ready to contribute professionally and cheerfully to the life and work of the school and collaborate with Estates and Sports colleagues. Be prepared to be work in a flexible way (including ad hoc weekends-rota system) for events and fixtures in good faith with a fair and positive attitude. Have a desire to understand the theoretical, as well as the practical, knowledge of the role with ability to assess and resolve problems. Be a good communicator to work effectively with a wide range of staff at all levels and external contractors. Have an active interest in sport and in outdoor pursuits. Be physically fit to meet the job requirements. QUALIFICATIONS: NVQ L2 standard in Sports Turf Maintenance/Amenity Horticulture and/or comparable qualifications and experience. Have a good knowledge of Health and Safety regulations relating to Grounds Management. Have the relevant certificates (PA1 and PA6) in the storage and application of pesticides in accordance with FEPA and COSHH regulations. Competent in First Aid and able to meet the demands of the HASAW Act. (FAatW training available) Holder of a clean and current UK driving licence. Up-to-date knowledge of grounds maintenance equipment and experience of operating and looking after sports systems and equipment dealing with external contractors and specialist suppliers. The successful candidate must have a proven record in all aspects of ground maintenance, to a high standard. IT skills are required. Either have or be willing actively to study for appropriate qualifications as agreed with Line Managers and Bursar. Salary range- £35-40k, flexibility depending on experience etc.