Head Gardener

ob title:   Head Gardener
Location:   West London 
Salary:   Dependent on skills and experience
Main purpose of job:
You will be an experienced Horticulturist with a “can-do” attitude and have strong leadership skills to maximise performance. Under direction from the Contract Manager, take responsibility for all aspects of grounds maintenance across sites within your area of responsibility, deliver contract objectives, people management, safety compliance and client relationships
Principal accountabilities
Contract performance & delivery
Responsible for the day to day grounds maintenance activity at designated housing estates and parks.
Prepare, implement and monitor weekly, monthly and annual maintenance programmes to ensure required standards are maintained
To utilise best, most economic and effective work practices
Proactively manage all areas of delivery, in order to solve problems before client raises them as an issue
Manage the work planning process to ensure optimum utilisation of human resources
To act as the day to day contact for client officers
To support the operational management team 
Relationships
Establish and maintain excellent client relationships
Attend and act as an ambassador at client meetings or related events
Initiate client communication to foster open lines of communication
To be proactive and well prepared at Progress Meetings with clients
To be approachable and responsive to the needs of your direct reports and minimise conflict
To communicate effectively and confidently both on a one-to-one basis and in groups
To develop teamwork by effective communication and regular meetings 
Customer/client care
To create a positive impression with clients, presenting a professional and proactive  attitude
To build strong, long term relationships with customers
To understand the benefits of the Company’s Complaints and Customer Contact procedures  
General
Communicate with colleagues across the Group in order to share best practice and pool knowledge and resources
Constantly seek to improve and change to deliver best value
Complete all maintenance activities to contract specification and to desired quality standard.
Keep all machinery and equipment breakdowns to a minimum by ensuring all company policies are followed regarding defect reporting and service scheduling
Keep accidents and other H&S incidents to a minimum by implementing good working practices, training and adhering to company H&S policies
This role may include on-call commitment (1 week in 4) sometime in the future 
Quality, Health & Safety
To understand the law relating to Health & Safety and implement the Company’s Health & Safety Policy
To understand and implement risk assessments and COSSH
To understand machinery basic maintenance requirements and have systems in place to ensure maintenance takes place
To ensure that all members of staff behave in a professional manner: wear the correct corporate clothing, keep vehicles and machinery clean and well maintained and that sites are kept clean and tidy at all times. 
Financial management
To understand and operate within the company’s financial procedures
Manage according to budget
Assist the Contract Manager with the completion of performance reportsKnowledge & Skills
An experienced Horticulturist/Groundsman with a proven work experience in a similar role
PA1, PA2 and PA6 spraying certificates (training given)
Full Driving Licence
NVQ HorticulturePersonal qualities
Competent
Able to work to consistently high standards
Professional attitude
High level of enthusiasm and motivation
Decisive
An approachable personality
Strong relationship building skills with clients and users

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