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Grounds Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Evening Custodian

Waseca, MN · On-site

$16 - $21/hr

For further details regarding this, please contact Buildings and Grounds Director. Qualifications: Must be in good physical condition and mentally alert to handle all duties as assigned. Must be ...

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Grounds Director information

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$25K

$72K

$147K

How much do grounds director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for grounds director in the United States is $71,970.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,500.00 and $89,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a grounds director?

A Grounds Director is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, landscaping, and overall appearance of outdoor spaces for an organization. They manage teams of groundskeepers, coordinate maintenance schedules, and ensure facilities meet safety and aesthetic standards. The role often involves budgeting, equipment management, and collaboration with other departments to support special events or facility needs.

What does a grounds director do?

A typical week for a Grounds Director involves a blend of strategic planning, supervising grounds crews, managing budgets, and coordinating maintenance schedules. You’ll oversee landscape improvements, equipment maintenance, seasonal projects, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Collaborating with administrators, vendors, and other facility teams is common, and you may also handle training for staff or respond to urgent grounds-related issues. This role balances hands-on fieldwork with administrative responsibilities, offering variety and the opportunity to make a visible impact on the property.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the grounds director position, and why are they important?

A successful Grounds Director needs extensive knowledge of horticulture, landscaping, facility management, and leadership, often supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Experience with grounds management software, irrigation systems, and certifications such as Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) are highly valuable. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and the ability to motivate diverse teams are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are critical to efficiently maintaining grounds, optimizing resources, and ensuring a safe, attractive environment for clients or the organization.

Is grounds management a good career path?

Grounds management is a viable career that involves maintaining outdoor spaces such as parks, sports fields, and landscapes. It requires skills in horticulture, landscape design, and equipment operation, often supported by certifications like the Certified Grounds Manager (CGM). The role offers opportunities for advancement and can be physically active and rewarding for those interested in outdoor work.
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Cities with the most Grounds Director job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Grounds jobs?

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What states have the most Grounds Director jobs?

States with the most job openings for Grounds Director jobs include:

Infographic showing various Grounds Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,970 per year, or $34.6 per hour.

Landscape & Grounds Director

The University of Oklahoma

Norman, OK • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


University Of Oklahoma rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

170th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Landscape & Grounds Director
Job no: 493579
Work type: Managerial
Location: Norman
Categories: Campus Operations/Safety
Pay Range: Commensurate with education and experience
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the summer and 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in winter
Travel: Not required
Position Introduction:
The University of Oklahoma is seeking a visionary and accomplished leader to serve as Landscape & Grounds Director, overseeing the care, stewardship, and enhancement of all campus landscapes and grounds across the Norman campus. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for shaping and maintaining one of the university's most prominent assets - its outdoor environment - ensuring that OU's campus remains beautiful, safe, sustainable, and welcoming for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
The Director provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for all landscape and grounds services, directing the planning, maintenance, renewal, and long-term development of the university's extensive outdoor spaces. The position leads and inspires a large and diverse operation responsible for campus landscaping, horticulture, grounds maintenance, irrigation, seasonal displays, and environmental stewardship initiatives; Shapes a positive and productive team culture by building trust, cultivating staff buy-in, encouraging professional growth, and guiding teams through change with a focus on collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Working closely with university leadership and campus partners, the Director establishes landscape standards, manages resources and budgets, oversees design review and project implementation, and develops long-range plans that support the university's mission and enhance the campus experience. The Director champions innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and customer-focused service while ensuring compliance with safety requirements, university policies, environmental standards, and applicable laws and regulations.
This is a unique opportunity for a transformational leader to leave a lasting impact on a flagship higher education campus by guiding the stewardship, appearance, and future vision of OU's entire grounds and landscape portfolio.
View full job description
Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in horticulture, plant and soil sciences, agriculture, landscape management, landscape architecture, environmental science, construction management, public administration, business administration, facilities management, or a related field.
  • Seven years of progressively responsible experience in landscape and grounds operations, horticulture, facilities operations, parks management, landscape construction, campus services, or a closely related field. The required experience must include at least two years of management or supervisory responsibility involving employees, budgets, contractors, projects, or operational planning.

Equivalency/Substitution: A total of 11 years of combined education and progressively responsible related experience is required. Four years of the required experience may substitute for a bachelor's degree.
Hiring Contingent Upon a Background Check: Yes
Advertised: 24 Jul 2026 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: 22 Oct 2026 Central Daylight Time
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About University of Oklahoma

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The University of Oklahoma is a prominent educational institution positioned in Norman, Oklahoma, US. Established in 1890, the university stakes a claim within the higher education industry and has a storied history of excellence in academics and research. Serving over 20,000 students, the university offers a wide range of programs across fields such as arts and sciences, business, engineering, international studies, and more. Emphasizing a dedication to unlocking potential, OU's mission is to provide the best possible educational experience to students through excellence in teaching, research, and creative activity. Notably, the institution has made significant strides in research with a focus on areas such as cancer, aerospace, and energy among others.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Norman, OK, US

Year founded

1890