Park Manager – Danbury, Cudmore Grove & Marsh Farm Country Parks
Location: Danbury
£32,852 – £38,649 per annum
Permanent, Full Time
About the role
The Park Manager is responsible for all operational management responsibilities for Danbury, Cudmore Grove and Marsh Farm Country Parks. Contribute to 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.
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.
Develop and deliver proactive maintenance and health and safety plans and processes, manage and control equipment and assets across the parks, and provide insight regarding the status of maintenance and equipment, ensuring good practices for maintenance are in place.
Manage all day-to-day operations of the three Country Parks, ensuring they are managed within budgeted guidelines and to the agreed quality standards. 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.
Accountable for implementation of consistent processes, controls, ways of working and operating practices within the Parks. Achieve the best experience for customers with the most effective use of both people and financial resources.
Provide guidance to Rangers and other site staff, including recruitment, induction, training, work planning, evaluating performance, managing conduct and disciplinary matters. Lead, manage and motivate your team to ensure service objectives are met.
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: manage third‑party relationships and tenancies, liaise with partners, stakeholders, other borough and district councils, community groups, volunteer groups, contractors and landlords.
The role requires mobility throughout an operational area, requiring a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or other means meeting mobility requirements. The main base is Danbury Country Park, but time will be apportioned among the three sites.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Excellent leadership with strong communication and people management skills; confident in engaging the public of all ages and abilities.
- Good understanding of ecological/habitat management and conservation issues; knowledge of the ‘Country Park’ ethos and commitment to enjoyment of the countryside.
- Educated to degree level in land management, countryside management or equivalent; experience in Country Park management with evidence of continuing professional development.
- Excellent attention to detail and initiative; able to spot and resolve problems quickly and efficiently.
- Experience generating income within a Country Park or equivalent.
- Enthusiastic, energetic, highly motivated, committed to team working and developing a committed and motivated team.
Equality and Diversity
Essex County Council is a Disability Confident Leader and commits to interview all disabled applicants under the Job Interview Scheme, veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. We also support unpaid carers with flexible working arrangements.
As part of employment with Essex County Council, any role that requires a DBS check will require the successful candidate to register with the DBS update service. The employee is responsible for maintaining compliance with the annual subscription.
Application Notes
Closing date: 11th August 2026.
Contact inquiries: resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
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