Project Manager – Utility Arboriculture

Location: Field-Based / Designated Contract Area
Salary: Competitive
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

Manage essential utility works. Lead field teams. Keep our power networks safe.

You're an experienced arboriculture or utilities professional who enjoys managing people, coordinating operational work and delivering projects safely and efficiently. You understand the importance of tree management around overhead power lines, take pride in maintaining high safety and quality standards, and have the confidence to make decisions in a fast-paced, field-based environment. You're looking for a role where you can take ownership of a cutting programme, build strong client relationships and make a real difference to the safe and reliable operation of electricity networks.

We're looking for a Project Manager to join Ground Control's Utility Arboriculture team. Reporting to the Contract Delivery Manager, you'll support the operational delivery of an assigned vegetation management programme within your designated area, overseeing Field Teams carrying out essential tree cutting and vegetation clearance works around overhead electricity infrastructure.

This is a hands-on operational role combining field surveying, landowner consents, team management, safety compliance and commercial performance. You'll work closely with Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), internal teams and field operatives to ensure work is planned effectively, delivered to the required standards and completed safely, efficiently and profitably.

Why this role?

Keep critical infrastructure safe

You'll play an important role in managing vegetation around overhead power lines, helping maintain safe clearances, reduce risks from trees and support the reliability of essential electricity networks. Your work will contribute to protecting infrastructure and the communities that depend on it.

Lead and support your Field Teams

You'll take responsibility for supporting and managing operational teams, monitoring performance, carrying out compliance checks and helping colleagues maintain high standards. Through clear communication, coaching and regular wellbeing checks, you'll help create a positive, accountable and safety-focused working environment.

Take ownership of operational delivery

From surveying vegetation and securing landowner consents to coordinating traffic management, planning work packs and organising power outages, you'll oversee the practical details that keep projects moving. You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, solve problems and manage changing priorities across your designated area.

Build strong customer relationships

You'll work directly with DNO customers, liaising with their representatives and Senior Authorised Persons (SAPs) to coordinate planned outages and ensure work is delivered in line with contractual requirements and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Your ability to communicate confidently and build trust will be key to successful delivery.

Drive commercial performance

You'll help ensure work is accurately priced, resources are used effectively and projects meet their financial targets. By monitoring costs, reviewing performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, you'll contribute to the ongoing success of our Utility Arboriculture operations.

What you'll do:

You'll support the Contract Delivery Manager in delivering a safe, compliant and commercially successful vegetation management programme across your designated area.

• Survey vegetation across the electricity network, assessing infestation levels, tree health, stability and potential risks using Ground Control's internal technology and systems.

• Secure landowner consents for arboricultural works on DNO infrastructure, ensuring requirements are met in accordance with ENATS 43-8.

• Plan and prepare work packs for Field Teams, identifying safe and efficient working methods and providing maps, site information and relevant documentation.

• Manage and support Field Teams, monitoring performance, setting clear expectations, providing guidance and carrying out regular wellbeing checks.

• Coordinate planned power outages with DNO customers and liaise with the relevant Senior Authorised Persons (SAPs) to support safe and efficient project delivery.

• Monitor commercial performance, pricing work to achieve best value, completing and reviewing CVCTs and working towards agreed margin targets.

• Maintain high health and safety standards, ensuring teams follow relevant procedures and site requirements, and addressing any compliance or performance issues.

• Carry out Field Team compliance audits and tree cutting quality audits, ensuring work meets the required standards, including BS3998.

• Coordinate operational requirements, including traffic management, purchase orders and project documentation, using Ground Control's internal systems.

• Work closely with the Key Account Manager and Contract Delivery Manager to resolve issues, manage priorities and ensure work is delivered on time and in line with customer expectations.

• Monitor performance against KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety and customer satisfaction.

• Build positive relationships with landowners, customers and colleagues, representing Ground Control professionally during site visits, surveys and consent discussions.

• Identify opportunities for improvement and business growth, contributing to efficient working practices and potential opportunities to expand our services.

• Ensure all activities comply with Ground Control's HSQE policies, procedures and relevant industry standards.

What we're looking for:

• Relevant Utility Arboriculture qualifications, including NPTC Utility Arboriculture Units 301, 302, 401 and 402.

• A Level 3 or equivalent Professional Tree Inspection qualification.

• Emergency First Aid in Forestry qualification.

• A full UK driving licence, with the ability to travel throughout your designated contract area.

• Experience in tree surveying or a strong practical understanding of arboricultural works, including tree health, stability, risk assessment and vegetation management.

• Experience managing health and safety compliance, ensuring that teams follow safe working practices and meet required standards.

• Experience managing Field Teams or small operational teams, including monitoring performance, providing support and addressing issues when they arise.

• Strong client liaison skills, with an understanding of SLAs, customer expectations and the importance of maintaining professional relationships.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, alongside confidence using GIS or industry mapping systems.

• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise workloads and respond to changing operational demands.

• Confident decision-making and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead teams and maintain composure under pressure.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, enabling you to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

• A proactive, accountable and collaborative approach, with a commitment to delivering high standards of safety, quality and customer service.

Desirable:

• Experience working on electricity distribution networks, with an understanding of overhead power lines and associated vegetation management requirements.

• Experience in climbing, tree cutting, forestry or arboriculture operations.

• Previous experience working independently in the field, including surveying sites and gaining landowner consents.

• Experience in a customer-facing role, with the confidence to engage professionally with landowners and resolve queries.

• Familiarity with Ground Control's systems, including Woodplan, ICe2 and associated operational processes.

• Experience monitoring commercial performance, including costs, margins, budgets or operational productivity.

• An entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities for service improvement and business development.

Why Ground Control?

At Ground Control, we're proud of the work we do. Our teams improve environments, support critical infrastructure and contribute to a more sustainable future. Through our Utility Arboriculture operations, we help maintain safe vegetation clearances around overhead electricity networks, supporting the reliable delivery of essential services across the UK.

As a Project Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering this work. You'll combine practical field knowledge, team leadership and commercial awareness to ensure that vegetation management programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

You'll join a business that values accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement, where your decisions and leadership will have a direct impact on operational performance, team development and customer satisfaction.

We're an Investors in People Gold Standard company and are committed to helping our colleagues reach their full potential. We want our people to feel supported, take ownership of their work and have the opportunity to develop their skills as our business continues to grow.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and lead essential utility arboriculture operations, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits:

Competitive salary – We offer a salary that reflects your skills, experience and contribution to the business.

Life insurance and pension support – Helping you plan for the future with confidence.

Grow your career – Access training, development, coaching and mentoring opportunities to strengthen your skills and support your career progression.

More flexibility with your time – Our Holiday Buy Scheme allows you to purchase additional annual leave when you need it.

Support for your wellbeing – Access a Private GP service, Bupa employee support, annual flu vaccinations and the Calm wellbeing app.

Make a difference beyond work – Enjoy two personal-choice volunteering days each year and match-funded fundraising opportunities.

Support sustainable initiatives – We invest 5% of our profits into our Evergreen Fund and are committed to planting one million trees, transitioning to an electric fleet and achieving carbon neutrality.

Travel and lifestyle benefits – Access Cycle to Work schemes and travel loan support.

Recognition for great work – Our recognition programmes celebrate colleagues who make a meaningful impact.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, or ethnic origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation.

We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels. #Util