Project Manager / Head of Open Space Maintenance

At Landlinks, we restore, protect and improve natural and urban environments across Melbourne and Victoria. Our teams work across specialist departments including Open Space Maintenance, Ecological Restoration, Urban Forestry, Fire Mitigation and Vegetation Management, and Landscape Construction. Our Open Space Maintenance department delivers systematic care for parks, reserves, streetscapes and civic spaces, keeping public spaces safe, functional and well-presented.

Due to company growth, we are seeking an experienced Project Manager / Head of Open Space Maintenance to lead, manage and grow our Open Space Maintenance department. This senior leadership role suits a practical parks, gardens or horticultural maintenance professional with strong people management and contract delivery experience. You will manage crew leaders and field staff, oversee multi-site maintenance programs and municipal contracts, and ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently and to agreed service standards.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading the Open Space Maintenance department and managing crew leaders and field staff across multiple sites, contracts and work programs
• Overseeing the delivery of mowing, garden bed maintenance, seasonal planting, landscape and facility maintenance, turf management and general and targeted weed control programs
• Planning and managing cyclical maintenance schedules across parks, reserves, streetscapes, civic spaces and roadside reserves, using scheduling systems to maintain reliable service coverage
• Coordinating reactive works and urgent site responses while maintaining routine programs, including staff allocation, equipment availability and day-to-day logistics
• Ensuring every site visit is documented, reviewing service reports, flagging issues early and providing clients with clear, timely progress updates
• Monitoring site presentation, turf and garden health, maintenance quality and contract requirements, and implementing practical improvements and corrective actions
• Managing client relationships, contract delivery, project scoping, tender input, budgets and resource planning across long-term municipal maintenance programs
• Mentoring staff and building consistent, capable teams, while overseeing safe equipment use, chemical application and appropriate traffic management and safety controls for roadside works

About You:

You will be an experienced open space maintenance professional who combines practical horticultural knowledge with confident people leadership and strong project and contract management skills. You will understand the demands of maintaining public spaces across multiple sites and seasons, and be comfortable balancing planned programs with changing priorities and urgent works. You will bring a systematic approach to scheduling, resourcing, budgets and reporting, communicate clearly with clients and crews, and take pride in delivering safe, consistent and high-quality outcomes for the communities we serve.

5-10 years’ practical experience in open space maintenance, parks and gardens, horticulture, grounds maintenance or a related field

Proven experience managing crew leaders and field staff across multiple sites and maintenance programs

Strong reporting and communication skills, including site records, service updates, client reports and contract documentation

Experience with administrative tasks, including data entry, maintaining job records, preparing documentation and supporting day-to-day office processes

Experience planning, implementing and monitoring cyclical maintenance programs, reactive works and project delivery

Practical knowledge of mowing, turf management, garden maintenance, minor landscaping and integrated weed management in public open spaces

Ability to coordinate staff, equipment, schedules and budgets while maintaining safety, quality and service standards

Relevant qualification in Horticulture, Parks and Gardens, Landscape Management or a related field, supported by substantial industry experience

Experience delivering maintenance contracts for councils, government agencies or other public land managers

Understanding of public-space safety, chemical use, equipment operation and traffic management requirements for roadside maintenance

Experience with tenders, project scoping, budgeting, client meetings and scheduling or job management systems

You must have:

• Driver’s Licence
• Construction Induction Card / White Card
• Working with Children Check
• ACUP - Agricultural Chemical Users Permit
• Cert III in Horticulture, or higher

What we offer:

At Landlinks Environmental Services, we provide above award rates and a supportive, rewarding work environment with ongoing training and development opportunities. This role offers the opportunity to lead a specialist department, shape reliable maintenance programs, mentor experienced crews and contribute to safer, better-presented public spaces across Melbourne and Victoria. You will be part of an established business with qualified teams, structured systems and diverse project streams, delivering work that makes a visible difference to the communities we serve.

If you’re an experienced open space maintenance leader who can combine practical expertise, organised project delivery and strong team management, this is a great opportunity to lead and grow with Landlinks. Landlinks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.