Operations Leader Horticulture

We create extraordinary experiences. We create memories, we take care of our shared heritage. This means careers where we have to innovate and always push for better, and where your perspective is always valued. This is a world where we bring together our love for the natural environment and our care for one another to make a real difference. This is a world where you’ll discover something new, every day.

Working in our Operations team, you’ll be helping with the maintenance and presentation of one of our unique open spaces in Melbourne’s South East. This means a permanent role, with opportunities to grow and learn. At the same time, you’ll discover family friendly hours, great employee benefits and a safe working environment.

The Role

As Operations Leader – Horticulture, you will lead and coordinate horticultural operations, ensuring maintenance activities are delivered safely, respectfully and to a consistently high standard. You will oversee a field-based team, drive operational performance, and ensure effective planning, resourcing and service delivery, while fostering a positive, accountable and high-performing team culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate horticultural operations
• Oversee maintenance activities including irrigation, turf, gardens and site presentation
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing field-based team
• Plan and manage schedules, resources and workforce requirements
• Embed strong safety leadership and proactive risk management practices
• Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure effective operational delivery
• Monitor budgets, performance and reporting to support operational outcomes
• Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and service delivery

Your Profile

• Proven experience leading teams in operational or field-based environments
• Experience in horticulture, landscaping or similar outdoor operations (preferred)
• Strong planning, coordination and workforce scheduling skills
• Ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, including coaching and performance management
• Strong problem-solving skills with sound operational decision-making ability
• Commitment to safety, compliance and high-quality service standards
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and operational systems

What’s on Offer

We offer a fulfilling career with exceptional personal and professional growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive range of benefits:

• Access to Leadership and Development Programs to foster professional growth and advancement.
• Employee Health, Wellbeing and Assistance Programs including complimentary onsite physio services.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Immediate access to unpaid parental leave and a short waiting period of only three months for paid parental leave, applicable to both full-time and part-time employees.
• The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.
• Discounts available at our employee café and onsite florists.

Don’t meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply – your unique strengths might be just what we need.

We care for our colleagues and the community we serve. To protect one another it is a requirement that all successful candidates complete background checks.

If you have any access requirements which restrict you from fully participating in our recruitment process, please contact ***email_hidden*** so that we can discuss necessary adjustments.

We're reviewing applications as they come in and may remove this ad early once the position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For more information on Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, please visit our website: www.smct.org.au.

SMCT is an equal opportunity employer and a Diversity Council Australia Member.