Head Greenkeeper

Job Title: Head Greenkeeper

Location: Richmond Park Golf Course, London, United Kingdom

Salary: £54,000 + Benefits

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

 

About Us

At Richmond Park Golf Course, we offer a truly unique golfing experience set within the historic and spectacular surroundings of London’s largest Royal Park. Home to our two 18-hole layouts—the Duke’s and the Prince’s—we are proud to provide one of the finest public golf facilities in the UK.

Maintaining our courses is unlike managing any other club. Situated within a 2,500-acre National Nature Reserve, our greenkeeping team works in harmony with a centuries-old ecosystem.  We are currently looking for a passionate and experienced Head Greenkeeper to lead our grounds team and drive the daily presentation of our 36 holes. If you are a hands-on turf professional who loves leading from the front, mentoring a team, and working in an environmentally sensitive, historic landscape, we want to hear from you.

The Role

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will be the driving force out on the courses. You will be responsible for the day-to-day tactical maintenance of the greens, tees, fairways, and roughs across both the Duke's and the Prince's courses, ensuring our playing surfaces are consistently exceptional for our high volume of visitors.

This isn't an office job. You will be actively working alongside your team in the elements, managing the daily operations, and handling frontline staff supervision while respecting the strict environmental guidelines of the Royal Park.

 

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading the Charge: Directing and participating in daily course preparation across our 36 holes, including mowing, rolling, and bunker maintenance to peak standards.
• Managing the Team: Setting weekly rotas, managing weekend coverage, and approving routine holiday/leave requests to ensure both courses are always properly staffed.
• Mentoring & Training: Delivering morning briefings, conducting on-the-job training for assistant greenkeepers, and leading daily health and safety toolbox talks.
• Turf & Ecology Management: Executing our agronomic programs (aeration, top-dressing) and carefully applying fertilisers and pesticides (PA1, PA2, PA6) in strict compliance with the park's ecological and wildlife constraints.
• Systems Operation: Operating, monitoring, and performing basic maintenance on course irrigation and drainage systems.
• Standards & Safety: Ensuring all machinery is used safely around the public and wildlife, stored correctly, and that the maintenance facility is kept secure and organised.
• Robotic mowing systems: Overseeing our fleet of commercial robotic mowers—managing cutting schedules via GPS software, deploying units, troubleshooting operational errors, and ensuring they operate safely around the public and park wildlife.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Qualified: You hold a minimum NVQ Level 3 in Sports Turf Management.
• Certified: You hold valid NPTC PA1, PA2, and PA6 Safe Use of Pesticides spraying certificates.
• A Natural Leader: You are comfortable giving feedback, organising daily schedules across a large site, and getting the best out of your team.
• Environmentally Minded: You have a deep respect for working in a protected nature reserve and understand the unique challenges of sharing a course with protected wildlife.
• Flexible: You are willing to work early mornings and participate in a weekend and bank holiday rotation.
• Bonus points if you hold Chainsaw (CS30/31) and First Aid at Work certifications.

What We Offer:

• Paid annual BIGGA membership and ongoing support for your professional development (CPD).
• Generous holiday allowance and company pension scheme.
• Full uniform and premium PPE provided.
• Complimentary golfing privileges and the chance to work in one of London's most beautiful outdoor environments.

How to Apply:

Ready to take the next step in your greenkeeping career? Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why you’d be a great fit for our team to [email protected]

Closing Date: 1st December 2026