Senior Grounds Supervisor

The Grounds Maintenance Team within Workplace Services is seeking a Senior Grounds Supervisor to become an integral part of the team. The Grounds Maintenance Team have recently gone through expansion due to the in sourcing of a significant amount of grounds work previously undertaken by a 3rd party contractor.

This is a new role that has been created to split the management of the team into two. The role will be responsible for managing 4 mobile teams made up of 11 in total.

The Role:

• The role holder will support the planning and activities of the Grounds Maintenance Team on a daily basis. This will include allocating tasks, checking quality/quantity of work, providing informal feedback, introducing new processes and procedures.
• The role holder will have input into decision making and involvement in developing environmental, sustainability and biodiversity policies and for the management of all areas of gardens and grounds across the University's estate.
• The role holder will assist with recruitment, induction and training of new Grounds staff and temporary staff. This will include areas such as formal staff reviews and development processes, manage staff welfare issues, performance management for individuals as required.
• The role holder will assist in preparing the teams requirements for the forthcoming season, including sourcing of plants, materials and equipment. They will help to manage any records such as chemical usage, materials, tools and equipment asset register.
• The role holder will be a hands-on supervisor, working with and alongside their team/teams on nominated sites and areas, to a high standard.
• The role holder will assist in ensuring health and safety regulations and relevant codes of practice are implemented and observed in the day-to-day work of the section. Undertake risk assessments associated with the teams work as and when issues or changes in situations arise, report any hazards or sudden incidents.
• The role is site based. It is Monday to Thursday 7 am to 3 pm and Friday 7 am to 2.30 pm. Morning break is 10 am to 10.30 and lunch is 1pm to 1.30 pm. There may be occasional weekend work and out of hours work may be required.

About you:

In order to succeed in this role, you will join us with the following:

• For this role you will need strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills which will help you with your ability to work within a team, plan and manage work activities, communicate and prioritise workloads.
• You are able to demonstrate experience of managing staff, both at individual and team levels.
• The relevant skills and knowledge across a wide scope of tasks related to grounds and maintenance.
• Proficient experience in using databases, Microsoft office, PDAs and CAFAM systems (Invida).
• A knowledge and understanding of pests and diseases.
• Qualifications educated to at least GCSE standard or equivalent. A recognised horticultural qualification to HNC level or equivalent. Spraying certificate PA1 and PA6. IOSH Health and Safety qualification or equivalent.
• Full UK Driving Licence, including towing capability.
• Certification of training on variety of handheld machines and ride on machines use in the Grounds Maintenance sector.
• The ability to work in a wide range of environments, and highly changeable conditions working outdoors in all weathers, adapting and adjusting working practices to ensure safety of self and others.
• Ability to maintain periods of physically strenuous activity when the task requires it.
• Have highly detailed and highly developed skills to undertake precise physical movement involving fine degrees of control.

Please be aware that a Full UK Driving Licence is essential for this role (a full EU Driving Licence is acceptable on appointment, but the successful applicant must transfer to a UK Licence prior to confirming a start date).

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please email Estates Division on EDR@admin.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference BA48986 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Key information

Department/location: Estates Division - Facilities

Salary: £31,236-£35,608

Reference: BA48986

Category: Assistant staff

Date published: 6 March 2026

Closing date: 25 March 2026