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At Essex County Council we’re already making plans to ensure our long-term economic recovery. We’re taking this opportunity to create a greener, more productive and fairer economy that is stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Economic growth is the number one priority for Essex County Council. We want to establish Essex as a great location for the world’s top businesses and ensure that it’s the best possible place to live and work. Our rich mix of urban, rural and coastal economies, and our growing transport links (including an international airport) mean we’re poised for future success.
The Culture, Heritage and Green Spaces department will deliver exceptional customer experiences, increase resilience against climate change, demonstrating the benefit of Essex’s strategic location, with the objective of developing a financially sustainable operation. And it starts with growing our team.
About the role
The Park Manager is responsible for all operational management responsibilities for Danbury Country Park, Cudmore Grove Country Park and Marsh Farm Country Park. Contribute to the development of robust business plans and Park Management Plans, ensuring opportunities for new revenue streams, using data to inform business decisions and translating these into day-to-day operational plans.
You will ensure the Country Parks are safe and clean for visitors and users, promoting and monitoring legislation, byelaws, and health and safety, whilst taking into consideration the impact of climate change, good practice green space management, and enhancing the land’s nature conservation and its position as a biodiversity hub.
You will develop and deliver proactive maintenance and health and safety plans and processes, managing and controlling equipment and assets across the parks, and provide insight regarding the status of maintenance and equipment for the parks, as well as ensuring good practices for maintenance are in place.
You will be responsible for managing all day-to-day operations of the three Country Parks, ensuring they are managed within budgeted guidelines and to the agreed quality standards. As such, you will be accountable for budgetary control and financial grip for the Parks, ensuring compliance with all financial processes and good practices, and contributing to the submission of grant applications for additional funding.
You will be accountable for the implementation of consistent processes, controls, ways of working and operating practices within the Parks. Achieve the best experience for our customers with the most effective use of both people and financial resources.
As a manager, you will provide guidance to Rangers and other site staff, including recruitment, induction, training, work planning, evaluating performance, managing conduct and disciplinary matters. You will lead, manage and motivate your team to ensure service objectives are met.
As a leader, you will play a critical role in exhibiting the culture and behaviours expected within the team. You will lead change initiatives within the Country Park to embed the desired culture, managing and motivating staff, ensuring clarity on vision, expectations, standards and objectives.
Collaboration is key in this role as you will manage third party relationships and tenancies, and liaise with and manage partners, stakeholders, other borough and district councils, community groups, volunteer groups, contractors and landlords.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
We’re looking for an excellent leader, with strong communication and people management skills, confident in engaging with public of all ages and abilities. You will have good understanding, knowledge and experience of ecological/habitat management and conservation issues, and an understanding of the ‘Country Park’ ethos and commitment to promoting enjoyment of the countryside.
Ideally, you will be educated to degree level in land management, countryside management or equivalent by experience in Country Park management, with evidence of continuing professional development.
You will have excellent attention to detail, be confident in using your initiative, with the ability to spot and resolve problems quickly and efficiently. You should be able to evidence your experience of generation income within a Country Park or equivalent.
Above all, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate considerable enthusiasm and energy, together with being highly motivated for what can be achieved, with an understanding and commitment to team working and developing a committed and motivated team.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means. The main base for the role is Danbury Country Park however there is an expectation for the post holder to apportion their time between the three sites accordingly.
To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email [email protected]
Closing date: 31 May 2026.
