Turf Manager Elite Stadium Project
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Salary: US$7,000US$7,500 net per month, 5,000-5,500 per month
Benefits: Accommodation, vehicle/transportation, visa requirements and return flights provided
Contract: Initial 12-month contract, renewable
Start Date: ASAP
Sector: Elite Sports Turf / Stadium Management
At a Glance
We are recruiting an experienced Turf Manager to take responsibility for the management and presentation of an elite football stadium pitch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior sports turf professional with proven experience managing Paspalum turf, working within the GCC / Middle East, and ideally having previous experience within an English Premier League stadium environment.
The successful candidate will lead an established grounds team, oversee the day-to-day and long-term management of the playing surface, and ensure the pitch consistently meets the standards required for elite professional and international football.
The role is available immediately, with an important focus on preparing the stadium for forthcoming major football fixtures and competitions.
About the Role
As Turf Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the condition, performance and presentation of the stadium's main playing surface.
You will lead a grounds team of approximately 14 personnel, including a supervisor, irrigation technician, machinery specialist, operators and skilled grounds staff.
Working within a demanding elite sporting environment, you will develop and implement maintenance, agronomic and match preparation programmes suited to Paspalum turf and the climatic conditions of Jeddah.
This is primarily a management and technical leadership position, although the successful candidate should be comfortable taking a practical, hands-on approach when required.
Key Responsibilities
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Take overall responsibility for the maintenance, presentation and performance of the main stadium pitch.
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Develop seasonal, annual and match-specific turf maintenance programmes.
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Manage and maintain Paspalum turf to elite professional football standards.
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Oversee mowing, irrigation, fertilisation, aeration, renovation, topdressing and recovery programmes.
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Monitor turf health, moisture, nutrition, disease and overall surface performance.
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Prepare the pitch for professional fixtures, tournaments and major events.
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Lead and manage an established grounds team of approximately 14 personnel.
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Allocate workloads and establish daily and weekly maintenance programmes.
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Work closely with irrigation, machinery and grounds specialists.
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Manage post-match recovery and turf repair programmes.
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Oversee the associated turf nursery and replacement turf requirements.
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Ensure machinery and specialist turf equipment are used effectively.
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Provide technical advice and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
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Identify potential turf, irrigation, agronomic or operational issues and implement appropriate solutions.
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Maintain high standards of health, safety and operational compliance.
About You
We are looking for an experienced senior sports turf professional who can demonstrate a strong technical background alongside proven leadership capability.
Essential Experience
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Significant experience within professional sports turf management.
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Proven experience managing Paspalum turf.
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Previous experience working within the GCC / Middle East.
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Experience maintaining elite-level football pitches.
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Strong understanding of warm-season turf management.
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Experience working in hot and humid climatic conditions.
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Experience leading and managing grounds teams.
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Excellent understanding of irrigation, fertilisation, nutrition and turf health.
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Strong knowledge of stadium pitch preparation and recovery.
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Ability to diagnose turf-related issues and implement practical solutions.
Highly Desirable
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Previous experience working within an Elite stadium environment such as English Premier League stadium.
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Previous experience working in Saudi Arabia.
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Experience as a Head of Grounds, Stadium Grounds Manager or Turf Manager.
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Experience preparing pitches for international football or major tournaments.
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Agronomy qualifications or extensive practical agronomic experience.
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Experience with Toro irrigation systems.
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Experience using Dennis professional turf machinery.
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Experience managing turf nurseries.
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Experience with both warm-season and cool-season turf species.
The Package
The anticipated salary is:
US$7,000US$7,500 net per month - 5,000-5,500 per month
for an exceptional candidate who closely matches the full requirements of the position.
The wider package includes:
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Accommodation
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Company vehicle / transportation
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Visa and immigration requirements
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Return flights to country of origin
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Additional travel required for visa arrangements
Contract
This is a full-time position based in Jeddah.
The initial contract will be for 12 months, with the opportunity to renew in line with the ongoing stadium maintenance programme.
Apply
If you are an experienced Turf Manager, Head of Grounds or senior stadium turf professional with strong Paspalum, GCC and elite football experience, we would be keen to hear from you.
Applications from candidates currently working within Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, the UK and internationally are welcomed.