Parks, Countryside & Greening Operations Manager

Colchester City Council is committed to delivering high-quality and accessible services to
residents, visitors and businesses. They are a local government authority providing a diverse
range of public and commercial services across Colchester, the second largest district in Essex
and one of the newest City’s in the UK.

We have an exciting opportunity and are looking for someone as passionate as we are about
working in and alongside our communities. Someone who wants to make a lasting and positive
difference to Colchester, for its people and the place.

Colchester is known for its abundance of heritage and culture, yet it is also one of the
fastest growing urban areas in the UK and was awarded City status in 2022. Together with our
historic town centre, Colchester comprises 135 square miles of diverse countryside, attractive
coastlines and riverside locations, town, and villages with unique identities, making it one of
the largest and most interesting places in Essex. 

By joining us as the Parks, Countryside & Greening Operations Manager you will have scope
and autonomy to shape the work you and your team do. Whilst you will be responsible for all
countryside sites, parks, open spaces, allotments, play parks, rivers and coastlines in the
City, this not a ‘normal’ parks and recreation management role. You will also play a key role
in our ‘Fit for the Future’ programme, helping to shape the future delivery of Grounds
Maintenance services going forward.

Conserving and enhancing biodiversity is a key strategic priority and you will be at the
forefront of our innovative programme of work to make Colchester greener, help biodiversity
flourish, and enhancing environments to create more space for nature to recover and grow.

Alongside a passion for nature conservation, we are looking for a systems thinker, experienced
in change management, someone able to step up the contribution our blue and green
infrastructure make to active, healthy communities, whilst also developing commercial
opportunities and new revenue streams that underpin wider place prosperity and wellbeing.

The world is changing; all businesses and organisations are feeling it, but the effect across
our sector is redefining. In Colchester we believe we have a once in a generation opportunity
to innovate and rethink the delivery of public services, ensuring they are fit for the
21st century. If you want to create conditions that enable people, communities and nature to
thrive, this is the job for you.

What we offer

The Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. You will be entitled to join
an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including
two extra company holidays during the Christmas period.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working
• Gym, travel and online retail discounts
• Excellent training, development and progression opportunities

For an informal discussion about this vacancy, please contact Melanie Rundle, Head of
Sustainability – 01206 508816

Closing date: 20th March 2025
Interviews: 3rd and 4th April 2025

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing
with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and
vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our
published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.