Green Space Development Manager - Harlow District Council

Green Space Development Manager - Harlow District Council

Harlow District Council

Temporary, Full Time

£475.00 per day umbrella *inside IR35*

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 15th August 2025

Essex County Council are delighted to be supporting Harlow District Council to recruit a temporary Green Space Development Manager on a 6-12-month basis. Please note that this post requires the successful individual to be based on site 3 days per week.

Harlow is a district of contrasts and an ideal location to both live and work. The town itself is thriving, with excellent shopping and leisure facilities for all ages. We have good road links to the M11 and M25 and excellent rail connections to London and Stansted Airport, just 35 minutes and 20 minutes away from Harlow respectively.

The role:

Harlow District Council are seeking an experienced and visionary Green Space Development Manager to lead the strategic development, management, and improvement of our parks, green spaces, and related environmental services. Reporting to the Director of Environment, this senior role will oversee a wide-ranging portfolio including parks, play areas, cemeteries, woodlands, biodiversity, land drainage, and community facilities.

You will be responsible for delivering high-quality, inclusive green spaces that meet the needs of residents, while managing staff, volunteers, budgets, capital projects, and performance across the unit. The successful candidate will be a skilled leader and collaborator, capable of shaping policy, building partnerships, securing external funding, and championing environmental sustainability.

This is a key role at the heart of our environmental strategy — offering a unique opportunity to make a lasting positive impact on communities and the natural environment.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Environment, you will:

• Lead, manage, and develop the Green Space Team.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio including parks, play sites, trees, cemeteries, biodiversity, land drainage, and woodland management.
• Deliver outstanding services through effective performance management, budget oversight, and team leadership.
• Develop and implement strategies, policies, and plans that align with Council and community objectives.
• Foster partnerships across sectors including community groups, health, and regeneration organisations.
• Lead on grant funding applications and capital project delivery (including S106 projects).
• Be a visible and proactive presence in the community, representing the Council at meetings and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Service innovation through policy development and legislative appraisal.
• Staff and volunteer management, training, and supervision.
• Delivery of capital and community projects related to green space.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, and sustainability policies.
• Financial and business planning, including the preparation and management of budgets.
• Promoting parks and green spaces via marketing and public engagement.

The experience you will bring:

• In-depth knowledge of horticulture, ecology, arboriculture, biodiversity, and grounds maintenance.
• Experience managing public parks, open spaces, and nature reserves to high environmental and aesthetic standards.
• Understanding of sustainable landscape management and climate-resilient planting schemes.
• Proven experience leading operational teams and contractors.

• Ability to motivate and develop staff to deliver high-quality work.

• Skilled in managing performance, health and safety, and work planning

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website. If you have any queries relating to this post please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk