Head Grounds Person

Job Type: ​​​Full Time (40 hrs per week)

Salary:​​​​ Competitive/depending on experience

Responsible To:​​ Tennis Manager

Role Overview:

St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club, a prestigious private members’ club with an international reputation for excellence, is seeking a highly experienced and knowledgeable Head Grounds Person.

We are looking for a dedicated professional with a strong background in grass court turf management, as well as wider experience in grounds and tennis court maintenance. This is a rare opportunity to join one of the world’s leading racquet sports clubs and play a key role in maintaining its exceptional facilities.

In this leadership position, you will oversee a small team of grounds staff and be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of presentation and performance across all outdoor areas.

Club Facilities Include:

Racquets

• 19 All-Weather Outdoor Tennis Courts
• 13 Grass Tennis Courts
• 2 Indoor Tennis Courts
• 4 Squash Courts
• Badminton, Pickleball & Table Tennis

Fitness

• Gym – Indoor and Outdoor
• Gym Studios
• Indoor Swimming Pool
• Steam Room
• Sauna

Social

• Bar and Restaurant
• Function Room
• Lake & Terrace
• Children’s Play Area
• Spa

Key Responsibilities:

• Grounds and Facilities Management:
  Oversee the day-to-day maintenance and presentation of all club grounds and court facilities to ensure the highest standards are consistently achieved for member enjoyment.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  Effectively manage the Deputy Head Grounds Person and Groundskeeping team by delegating tasks, monitoring performance, and ensuring all work is completed efficiently and to a high standard. Foster a culture of continuous professional development, actively supporting your own learning and that of your team.
• Budget Management:
  Set, monitor, and manage the Grounds Department budget. Maintain accurate records of expenditures and ensure all spending aligns with the approved financial plan.
• Facilities Maintenance:
  Take full responsibility for the maintenance of all outdoor areas, including tennis courts, landscaped grounds, paths, trees, hedges, planting schemes, the lake, car park, irrigation systems, and drainage infrastructure.
• Court Surface Management:
  Oversee the preparation and upkeep of all indoor and outdoor tennis court surfaces. Implement and adhere to weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance schedules to ensure optimal playing conditions and surface presentation.
• Health and Safety Compliance:
  Serve as the department’s lead on all health and safety matters, ensuring full record keeping and compliance with current legislation and club policies.
• Machinery and Equipment Oversight:
  Ensure the effective storage, maintenance, and servicing of all machinery and equipment used by the Grounds team.
• Stock and Inventory Control:
  Manage inventory levels for all grounds-related materials and supplies, including fertilisers, grass seed, clay, chemicals, line marking paint, and other consumables.
• Event Support:
  Assist in the preparation and execution of all club events and tournaments, ensuring grounds are presented to the highest standard.
• Supplier and Contractor Relations:
  Build and maintain strong working relationships with all relevant suppliers and external contractors to ensure service quality and value.
• Recruitment Support:
  Support the recruitment process for grounds staff by advertising vacancies, reviewing applications, and conducting interviews in collaboration with your line manager.

Skills & Qualifications:

Essential:

• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience in a senior groundskeeping role, preferably within a racquets club, with a strong focus on sports turf management.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Turf Management or Grounds Maintenance.
• Valid spraying certificates: PA1, PA2, and PA6.
• Full UK driving license.
• Flexibility to work weekdays, including evenings and weekends, as required.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with members, colleagues, and board/committee members.
• Highly organised, knowledgeable, proactive, and passionate about maintaining a first-class sports environment.

Desired:

• COSHH certification.
• First Aid certification.
• Manual handling training.
• Key understanding of IT office programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Application:

The ideal Head Grounds Person will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing our beautiful club grounds, proactively introducing innovative ideas, and exemplifying strong communication skills with a consistently professional approach.

To apply for the position of Head Grounds Person, please submit your CV and covering letter and potential start date to Piers Herfet-Jones, Tennis Manager, at piershj@stghltc.co.uk.