Working closely with the Head of Grounds and Gardens, the post holder leads the delivery of high-quality cricket squares and outfields to support school and commercial activities, while also contributing to the management of wider sports pitches, ornamental gardens, arboriculture and estate presentation. Cricket performance and development form a substantial part of the role, making it a great opportunity for an experienced sports turf professional.
The post holder supports the Head of Grounds and Gardens in the day-to-day management of the Department, including allocating workloads, maintaining standards of presentation, mentoring staff, supporting recruitment and development, deputising in the Head of Grounds and Gardens absence and attending relevant operational meetings. The role also includes providing technical leadership in cricket pitch preparation and fine turf management and developing the wider team’s cricket knowledge through coaching and practical guidance.
Key Responsibilities:
CRICKET LEAD
- Overall responsibility for the development, preparation and performance of all cricket facilities.
- Creating a long-term cricket surface strategy; leading pre-season planning; preparing wickets; managing rolling, irrigation and nutritional programmes; overseeing end-of-season renovations; and analysing surface performance. The aim is to produce consistently high-quality wickets and outfields suitable for intensive College use, fixtures and commercial events.
- Data-led improvement of cricket square performance through soil analysis, performance monitoring and modern turf-management techniques, together with annual renovation programmes and long-term square development to improve pace, consistency, safety and presentation.
- Collaboration with the Assistant Head: Director of Sport and Partnerships, Director of Cricket and coaching staff so that pitch preparation aligns with fixture demands and the College’s cricket ambitions, and the post holder may also support external cricket fixtures.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the preparation and maintenance of rugby, football, hockey and cricket facilities, including mowing, aeration, overseeding, top dressing, fertilising, line marking, irrigation and turf repairs.
- Managing pitch rotation and usage, monitoring turf health and drainage, assisting with synthetic and hard-court surfaces, and contributing to the specification and procurement of sports turf materials.
- Support the management of formal gardens, ornamental lawns, shrub borders and seasonal planting; assisting with landscape projects; supporting tree stock and arboriculture programmes; encouraging biodiversity and sustainable estate practices.
- Maintain boarding houses, entrances and key estate areas to a high standard; and helping maintain pathways, drainage, hard standings and related external infrastructure.
- Support fixtures, tournaments, open days, speech day, admissions activity and commercial lettings by preparing facilities, liaising with operational teams, supporting set-up and breakdown, and coordinating post-event recovery works.
- Oversees the safe and effective operation of specialist sports turf machinery, maintains servicing records, contributes to replacement planning, promotes health and safety compliance, supports risk assessment and record-keeping, monitors stock and expenditure, assists with procurement and budgeting, and helps develop seasonal work schedules and annual maintenance plans while maintaining clear communication across the College community.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & TEAM CONTRIBUTION
- Contribute ideas to improve working practices, machinery utilisation, and pitch performance.
- Support and mentor less experienced team members where appropriate.
- Maintain and develop professional knowledge in sports turf and cricket pitch preparation.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
- A recognised qualification in sports turf management, grounds management, horticulture or equivalent practical experience;
- Significant experience in sports turf management with strong expertise in cricket square preparation and fine turf management; proven ability to produce high-quality cricket wickets for competitive play; experience in planning and delivering annual cricket maintenance and renovation programmes;
- Experience of leading or supervising staff;
- Strong knowledge of seasonal sports surface maintenance;
- A good understanding of horticulture, ornamental planting and grounds presentation;
- Knowledge of arboriculture principles and tree management;
- Strong organisational, planning and communication skills;
- Sound knowledge of health and safety legislation and risk assessment;
- A full UK driving licence;
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends in support of fixtures and events.
DESIRABLE
- Experience preparing wickets to Premier League, County Age Group, Minor Counties, university or equivalent standard;
- Strong understanding of modern cricket pitch performance metrics and square development techniques;
- BASIS, FACTS or equivalent agronomic qualifications;
- PA1, PA2 and PA6 spraying certificates; chainsaw certification; first aid qualification;
- Experience of budget management and staff supervision.
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
