Service Manager, Parks and Public Realm
Ref: 183571
Salary: £58,364 p.a. plus benefits
37 hours per week
Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.
Your next role
This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic and operational delivery of Parks and Public Realm services, ensuring high-quality, accessible and sustainable environments that support community wellbeing and biodiversity. Reporting to the Head of Environment and Waste, you will lead a diverse portfolio including grounds maintenance, country parks, arboriculture, street cleansing and environmental enforcement.
You will drive service performance, develop and deliver long-term strategies, and ensure compliance with health and safety and environmental legislation. The role includes oversight of contracts, budgets, assets and performance frameworks, as well as identifying commercial opportunities and service improvements.
Working collaboratively with members, partners and communities, you will lead engagement, shape policy and ensure services meet both local priorities and national standards. You will provide visible leadership, motivating teams and embedding a strong culture of performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
We are looking for an experienced service leader with a strong background in parks, public realm or environmental services. You will have proven experience of managing large operational teams, developing strategy and delivering complex services. Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills are essential, alongside relevant qualifications or equivalent experience.
You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer-facing role”).
Your next package
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, revitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.
Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.
Your next steps
Please read the role profile, which is available in the documents section to the righthand side of the page. To submit an application for this role, select Quick Apply.
For further information about the role please contact Jo Campbell-Rich, Head of Environment and Waste at [email protected]
As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our Employee benefits and rewards | Swindon Borough Council.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email [email protected]
Closing date: 30 August 2026
Interview date: w/c 7 September 2026
