Landscaping Manager

The Landscaping Manager will provide strategic, operational, financial and technical leadership for the full landscaping function across a large mixed-use development. The role will directly manage multiple Landscaping Supervisors, internal landscaping teams, contractors and specialist vendors, while also directly overseeing landscaping operations within an assigned precinct. The Landscaping Manager will ensure that all landscapes are safe, attractive, sustainable, cost-effective, compliant and maintained to agreed service standards, and will lead annual maintenance planning, budget preparation, resource allocation, quality assurance, HSE governance, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement of landscaping operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the landscaping function across all precincts, directly managing Landscaping Supervisors, internal teams, contractors and vendors, while overseeing day-to-day landscaping operations within the assigned precinct.
• Develop and implement landscape maintenance strategies, annual plans, seasonal programmes, irrigation strategies and asset lifecycle plans to ensure safe, attractive, sustainable and cost-effective landscapes.
• Manage landscaping budgets, forecasts, CAPEX and OPEX requirements, procurement plans, cost optimisation initiatives and financial reporting against approved budgets.
• Set and monitor service levels, KPIs, SLAs, work orders, inspections, audits and reporting dashboards to drive quality assurance, timely corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Plan workforce deployment, equipment use, materials availability and resource allocation to meet operational priorities, productivity targets and business continuity requirements.
• Manage contractor and vendor performance, including scope definition, tender evaluations, contract administration, invoice verification and value-for-money assessments.
• Work with Urban Planning and Landscaping Supervisors to review landscape concepts, prepare BOQs, translate approved designs into implementation plans, and coordinate delivery across precincts and city projects.
• Ensure HSE compliance and governance by implementing SOPs, policies, method statements, risk registers, emergency response plans, toolbox talks, incident investigations, environmental controls, audit readiness, stakeholder reporting and sustainable landscaping practices.

Requirements

Skills and Experience

Technical Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Agriculture or a related field is required; a master’s degree, postgraduate qualification, or professional certifications in landscaping, horticulture, arboriculture, irrigation, project management, HSE, ISO management systems or facilities management are desirable.
• Proficiency in ArchGIS, AutoCAD and other landscape design software, MS Project or other similar work management systems and reporting tools.
• Minimum of 10 - 12 years’ progressive experience in large-scale landscaping, estate, public realm, parks, hospitality, commercial or mixed-use development environments, including at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple supervisors, large workforces, contractors, vendors, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong technical knowledge of soft and hard landscaping, climate-resilient planting, irrigation systems, tree care, pest and disease control, soil health, equipment use, and sustainable upkeep of public realm and estate environments.
• Experience in reviewing landscape design drawings, preparing Bills of Quantities, interpreting design concepts, and coordinating landscape design implementation with urban planning, consultants, contractors and site teams.

Managerial Competencies

• Strategic thinking and ability to translate long-term objectives into practical plans.
• Commercial acumen, financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cost control and procurement judgement.
• Leadership, coaching, performance management and employee engagement capability.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation, communication and conflict-resolution skills.
• Analytical thinking, decision-making, problem solving, risk management and continuous improvement mindset.
• Change management, service excellence, resilience, accountability and ability to work effectively under pressure.
• High energy, mature, pragmatic and solutions oriented.
• Visible and hands on leader.
• Results-driven, organised, ethical and committed to safety, sustainability and service quality.