Parks Development Manager

Ealing Council have an exciting new opportunity for a parks development manager available on a full time. 

At Ealing Council, we are committed to ensuring every family has a decent living income and can afford a genuinely affordable home. We strive to create communities where everyone can live a long, happy, and healthy life, full of pride and identity. We aim to create an environment where every child can reach their potential and achieve their dreams.”

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Parks Development Manager to lead the improvement, investment and long‑term development of the borough’s parks, green spaces and open spaces.

This is a senior leadership role within the Parks & Open Spaces service, with responsibility for shaping policy, delivering major capital investment, improving biodiversity outcomes and ensuring our parks continue to make a positive impact on residents, communities and the local environment.

You will lead a specialist multi‑disciplinary team including landscape architects, an ecologist and senior ranger, and manage significant revenue and capital budgets while working closely with elected members, partners and communities.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing leadership and strategic direction to the parks improvement and development function, aligning delivery with council priorities and statutory requirements
• Managing and delivering capital programmes (c. £2–3m) and revenue budgets (c. £1.5m) while securing additional external funding, grants and sponsorship
• Leading the planning, design and delivery of park infrastructure improvements and investment programmes
• Driving continuous service improvement through performance management, business planning and change
• Supporting borough‑wide strategies including the Biodiversity Action Plan, Green Infrastructure and Open Spaces Strategy and Outdoor Sports Facility Strategy
• Responding to planning applications and maximising opportunities through S106 and CIL contributions to improve green infrastructure
• Leading community engagement including Friends Groups, forums and partnerships with voluntary and external organisations
• Advising and briefing elected members, responding to residents’ enquiries and presenting reports to Cabinet and Scrutiny
• Ensuring compliance with health & safety, equalities duties and legislation relating to parks, trees, allotments, cemeteries, events and nature conservation
• Acting as cover for the Head of Parks & Open Spaces when required

About you

You will be a confident and credible leader with substantial experience in parks, open spaces or green infrastructure services, ideally in a local authority or similarly complex organisation.

You will have:

• A proven track record of managing and delivering parks or public realm improvement programmes
• Strong experience of budget management, business planning and securing external funding
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience of working with elected members and community groups
• Experience of managing and motivating professional teams

• A strong understanding of the role parks and open spaces play in community wellbeing, environmental sustainability and place‑making
• Confidence in operating in a politically aware, culturally diverse environment

Essential qualifications

• A relevant degree qualification
• An appropriate professional or management qualification

Values

You will demonstrate the council’s values by being resident‑focused, collaborative, innovative, accountable and trustworthy, with a genuine passion for improving life for residents through high‑quality parks and open spaces

Safeguarding

This post is subject to safeguarding requirements and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Closing date for applications: 24th May 2026.

You must have the right to work in the UK.  Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

It is an exciting time to join us, here at Ealing Council. If you would like to make a positive difference to our residents and borough, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

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Ealing Council is committed to creating good jobs and delivering on its connected communities’ agenda. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive.

We therefore welcome applications from all residents of the borough, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are entering the employment market in the early stages of their career and mid-career professionals, who are currently underrepresented in Ealing’s workforce.

Please note all applications will be determined on merit.

Candidates must complete an application form and a max 2 page supporting statement detailing how they meet the personal specification.