Golf Course & Landscape Manager

Golf Course & Landscape Manager

“Horticultural expert, robotics enthusiast"

Internally, this role will be known as Agronomy & Robotics Manager.

You bring your expertise, enthusiasms, and curiosities; and we’ll provide you with a space to play.

• Full Time – Permanent Contract


• £45,000/annum


• Onsite Role


• Based at Mad Swans in the South Downs (Alton)

Mad Swans in the South Downs is now recruiting for a full time Golf Course and Landscape Manager to lead the team on a permanent basis. Unlike other typical Greenkeeper positions, this role will be involved in a range of duties in relation to the wider landscaping of the site and anything outdoors.

Here at Mad Swans in the South Downs we have built a stunning Mackenzie and Ebert designed 12-hole golf course at a cost in excess of £2million and it will be opening in Summer 2025.

Highlights of this construction include:

- The use of autonomous mowers to cut all fairways and rough

- A new state of the art Rainbird irrigation system

- £500k has been spent on installing both primary and secondary drainage to all areas of the golf course

Mad Swans in the South Downs is located in Alton.

Full Address: Frith End Road, Blacknest, Alton, Hants, GU34 4QL

What we do

We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature.

This summer, we’re opening our first countryside hangout for mavericks. The unruly. The friendship groups you wish you were in. The families you want to hang out with. For evenings that go on forever. And weekends that become folklore. Come for a good time. Come for a long time. Come for a breath of fresh air. Whoever you are. Come as you are.

Social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf gives guests the chance to explore one game or sample them all, across a few hours, a day, or a long weekend. We’re all about great food, which is why we’ve teamed up with experts in their field to create two distinct dining experiences and endless ways to enjoy them. The Potting Shed proudly boasts a menu of refreshing takes on Brasserie classics while, in The Hangout, the focus is on shareable plates with no compromise on flavour. But wherever guests find themselves, from course to court, the meadow to the orchard, they’re never far from a plate of something delicious to satisfy any craving. And, for evenings that go on forever, an Eco Cabin for the night is only a starlit walk through the wilderness away.

What we can do for you

We understand that there’s more to life than work, which is why our roles are designed to allow exploration, from long-time passions to brand-new intrigues.

We believe that to be interested is to be interesting – that means industry-leading training within and outside of your specified job role. If you have a question, we want to provide you with the tools to answer it. As we make our start in the world, our team need to be able to wear a few different hats, which we treat as an opportunity, allowing you to take considered detours into topics of interest, in the pursuit of a broader, richer perspective.

And out of hours, our guests’ playground is yours too. Enjoy the wide variety of green spaces, and the games they host, at an exclusive rate. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all things Mad Swans, from padel lessons to cocktail workshops, after all, we want you to be as excited by our product as we are.

What there is to it

The Golf Course and Landscape Manager will lead a team of 5 full time and will report to the Head of Sport for Mad Swans.

This is a very active and physically demanding role which will involve working outside.

The key duties and responsibilities of this role will include:

• Positively interact and engage with our guests


• The management of the Agronomy & Robotics Team, ensuring they are motivated, engaged with regular communication and appraisals, ensuring goals and objectives are set


• Ensure the golf course and all outdoor areas are maintained to the highest standards


• Proactively create and manage annual maintenance plans for golf course and landscape areas, ensuring the latest techniques are used to manage pests and diseases


• Assist in the creation of the annual maintenance budget with the Head of Sport


• Budget management


• Oversee the management and maintenance of all plant and machinery including autonomous mowers


• Utilise data to help inform decision making, utilising the Rainbird weather station as well as POGO turf management tool


• Safe use of machinery, including ride on mowers and hand machinery


• Planting trees, shrubs and flowers


• Overseeing the management of the Kitchen Garden, working with the Head of Sport as well as the Group Head Chef on what is to be grown each year


• Assisting with beekeeping and the production of honey


• General maintenance of the wider site and sports areas


• Assist in the creation of the Winter project programme and actively manage the completion of each project.

This is a full-time permanent position and will work any five days out of seven. The salary for this role is £45,000/annum.

Location – this is an onsite role and will be located at Mad Swans in the South Downs, Frith End Road, Blacknest, Alton, Hants, GU34 4QL

Working Hours – shift times will start from 6.00 am. We operate annualised hours which means shift patterns and the number of hours worked each week varies throughout the year. The total number of hours over the whole year is based on or equivalent to 40 hours a week.

Working Days – this role will work any five days out of seven and will involve working on weekends on a regular basis. Working hours will vary in line with the operating calendar and needs of the business.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Golf Course and Landscape Manager who is:

• Experienced in a managerial role in golf course maintenance


• Excited about overseeing the wider site and estate as opposed as well as the golf course


• Passionate about maintaining our greens and golf course to a high standard


• A proven and inspirational leader who leads from the front

• Able to lead, motivate and inspire a team


• Focussed on health and safety, employee engagement, the guest experience and cleanliness of the whole site


• Experienced in managing their own P&L


• Excited about being part of a new concept, new brand and new opening


• Happy to be hands-on and assist with the day-to-day duties and operation


• Focussed on the guest experience and detail orientated


• Self-driven and highly motivated


• Happy and able to work both independently and as part of a team


• Proactive, positive and resilient by nature


• Solutions driven


• Comfortable working in a very fast paced environment and happy to be hands on

Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas.

What is in it for you

• Tips & Service Charge


• Free Parking


• Free Employee Meal whilst on shift


• Wage Stream – access your pay for hours worked before pay day


• Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop


• Reward & Recognition Initiatives


• Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events


• Employee Referral Scheme Bonus


• Mad Swans Water Bottle


• Mad Swans Hoodie


• Plant your own tree at Mad Swans

How to Apply

If you believe you have what it takes to come on-board and would like to be part of something new and exciting, we would love to hear from you. Please simply apply by hitting the apply button.

Recruitment Agencies

We are not working with any recruitment agencies at this time. As such, we do not accept any speculative CV’s and/or candidate profiles and are, therefore, unable to consider these.