Contract Manager Grounds and Arboriculture

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with schools and promote biodiversity and green space development across the county. East Sussex Schools are reliant on a mix of practical and exciting outdoor space, and the experience needed for this role is key in shaping this.

The Contracts Manager Grounds and Arboriculture role is responsible for the operational management of contracted facilities services. Building sound professional relationships with clients, stakeholders and suppliers to ensure effective contract delivery is achieved and monitoring the performance of suppliers through effective contract management processes.

The Contracts Manager Grounds and Arboriculture will provide operational management on contracted facilities services typically covering a particular specialism, whilst working closely with service providers to ensure services are delivered at all times in line with contractual and customer expectations.

If you have any questions about the building accessibility for the building this role is based in, please contact the hiring manager (details below). Role is based at County Hall, in Lewes, East Sussex.

We are looking for candidates who:

- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of people in a clear, concise and accurate manner, changing messages to suit different audiences, using influencing and negotiation skills.
- Practical experience of managing or working on a grounds related contract.
- Ability to provide effective customer service which will include providing clear and succinct advice, responding appropriately to customers’ needs.
- Ability to use research to inform the content of reports where appropriate, and the ability to produce clear and accessible reports to be shared with managers.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure grounds maintenance and related projects are conducted in accordance with the the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly encourage those from groups that are underrepresented in our current workforce:

• people under 30 years of age
• people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds

We are working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects our community, because we recognise the value of diverse perspective and experiences.

Please download the job description and person specification for more information.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI .

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams . Interviews will be taking place on 15 October 2026 and 16 of October 2026. If you are unavailable on these dates let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.

You will be working in a close knit team where client satisfaction is at the heart of what we do. This role is varied and requires a hybrid style of working, visiting sites, working from home and office based duties. This role offers a unique opportunity to add to the bio diversity of the county and promote environmental awareness within schools
We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page .

Vocational Training through Apprenticeships is now available to our staff, ranging from entry level to degree level qualifications. You can talk to the hiring manager and the apprenticeship team about what qualifications would be relevant to you and this job role, and if it is possible to support you in apprenticeship training.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Johnny Parish, Soft FM and Contract Services Manager [email protected] to request a MS teams call or phone call.

For a team that supports you, choose East Sussex.