Head of Horticulture

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

We are excited to welcome a passionate and collaborative Head of Horticulture & Sports Grounds to lead an operationally critical function of our business.

As the Head of Horticulture & Sports Grounds, you will play a crucial role in driving the delivery of horticulture and sports turf services forward, ensuring that M&OP has the world-class grounds and facilities it needs to deliver events and activate our precinct for years to come. With a focus on our annual horticulture and sports turf program, team leadership, and collaboration you will work with key stakeholders to deliver outstanding outcomes that have a lasting impact.

The Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct is home to six of Melbourne’s premier venues; Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena, AAMI Park, Kia Arena and CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, an array of other professional sporting and administrative facilities, as well as recreational spaces, including the National Tennis Centre, two show courts, 35 outdoor tennis courts, six indoor tennis courts, Tennis HQ, Olympic Park Oval, Gosch’s Paddock and the AIA Centre (Collingwood Football and Netball Club) - all of which form the scope of the Horticulture & Sports Ground team’s remit. You will work hand in hand with tenant, venue and infrastructure teams to manage and enhance the sports facilities and surrounding greenspaces.

Leading a group of horticulture and sports turf experts, the Head of Horticulture & Sports Grounds is a member of M&OP’s Leadership Team and reports directly to the Director of Precinct Operations and the Australian Open.

**Here are some of the things you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in**:
Lead the annual planning of the precinct’s horticultural requirements
- Prepare and plan all site maintenance programs to ensure the optimal presentation and protection of the precinct’s green assets
- Ensure that the venue’s horticultural facilities and equipment are safely and properly maintained and presented in good condition.
- Demonstrate safety leadership throughout the Horticulture team and across the precinct
- Through your team of horticultural experts, oversee several maintenance contracts, partnering closely with these providers to ensure the highest quality outcomes are achieved.

Oversight over the precinct Sports Turf Management program
- Lead and maintain a turf management program to ensure that the playing and training sporting fields deliver a world-class standard for the elite sporting codes who utilise them -NRL, ARU, FFA and AFL
- Lead the turf replacement program, working closely with the contracted supplier and delivered with a highly organised and well-coordinated approach.

Sustainability & Environmental Impact
- M&OP are committed to promoting, practicing and embedding principles of environmental sustainability across all facets of our design, planning and operations. You will embody this philosophy and lead the development and implementation of sustainability initiatives in all areas of horticulture including areas such as water harvesting and water restrictions.
- As part of our broader Social and Community Framework, you will champion and deliver on our Sustainability Strategy, embedding this into our core way of working.

Enhancement and Delivery of the Australian Open
- The Horticulture team have a key role to play in the preparation, planning, and delivery of M&OP’s facilities for the Australian Open - one of the four major grand slam tennis tournaments - each year. With an ambitious remit to continue delivering the best facilities for players and staff alike, you will work closely with key tenant and client, Tennis Australia in presenting a world class precinct.

**WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE**

A passion for the finer details

With a keen eye for detail, you bring creative and innovative thinking when setting a high performance and delivery standards. You love nothing more than seeing how each small detail adds up to make a huge impact on site presentation.

You can balance competing demands like a pro

You’re detail orientated and equally appreciate the importance of keeping your eye on the bigger picture. A fast pace, ‘lots of balls in the air’ kind of environment is one you thrive in - it’s your quick

thinking, tenacious and innate solutions orientation spirit that keeps you on track.

You are an influential, impactful leader

Through your highly collaborative and supportive leadership style, your steely focus on both what you and your team deliver (outcomes) and how it is done (experience) sees you to be highly effective. You demonstrate passion and lead the way in precinct presentation, sustainability and are a true advocate for the growth and development of your people.

Couple this with your deep functional expertise in horticulture and sports turf, you’re ready to make a lasting impact on one of the best sport and entertainment precincts in the world.

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