Senior Grounds Maintenance Supervisor
Location: Cambridge
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Hays are working in partnership with a large, well-established education organisation to recruit an experienced Senior Grounds Maintenance Supervisor. This is a hands-on supervisory role responsible for the delivery and ongoing development of high-quality grounds maintenance across a busy multi-site estate.

The Role
Reporting to the Grounds Maintenance Manager, you will oversee the maintenance of landscaped grounds and gardens, ensuring outdoor spaces are safe, attractive, and well maintained for staff, students, and visitors. You will lead from the front, combining practical grounds work with people management, planning, and coordination responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Maintain grounds and gardens to a high standard across allocated sites.
Act as a hands-on supervisor, undertaking day-to-day grounds maintenance including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, spraying, weeding, and general landscaping works.
Plan and allocate workloads on a weekly and monthly basis, adapting to weather conditions and operational priorities.
Supervise a team of Grounds Supervisors, Grounds Operatives, temporary staff, and trainees.
Provide training, coaching, and practical demonstrations to support staff development and safe working practices.
Liaise closely with the Grounds Maintenance Manager on plant care, tree maintenance, equipment requirements, and future projects including sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.
Monitor and report on equipment condition, servicing requirements, and safe storage.
Carry out site inspections, including tree and plant safety checks following adverse weather.
Assist wider Facilities teams with day-to-day or project-based works as required.
Act as lead in the absence of the Deputy Grounds Maintenance Manager.

About You
You will be experienced grounds professional with strong leadership skills and a proactive, adaptable approach.

Essential Requirements

Experience supervising work in a team-based environment.
Proven experience managing staff at both individual and team levels.
Strong knowledge and understanding of grounds maintenance tools and equipment.
Knowledge of environmental, sustainability, and biodiversity techniques.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Broad skills and practical knowledge covering a wide range of grounds maintenance activities.
Recognised horticultural qualification to HNC level or equivalent.
PA1 and PA6 spraying certificates.
Full clean driving licence, including towing capability.
Ability to work in a wide range of environments, including outdoor work in all weathers and attending site meetings.

Desirable

Sound plant knowledge, including pests and diseases.
Proficient IT skills, including experience using databases, Microsoft Office, PDAs, or CAFM systems.
IOSH Health & Safety qualification or equivalent.
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
Basic tree inspection qualification.
Forklift licence.

What’s on Offer

A permanent role within a respected and stable organisation.
A diverse, outdoor-based position with leadership responsibility.
Opportunity to influence sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.
Competitive salary and benefits package.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.