Abney Park Manager

We know that staff are key to our success and we are seeking people with ambition, creativity and commitment to our values to help us achieve the best for the people of Hackney.

The London Borough of Hackney has the largest expanse of green spaces in inner London. We have 58 parks, gardens and open spaces ranging from the largest concentration of football pitches in Europe at Hackney Marshes, to the beautiful historic setting of Springfield and Clissold parks.

34 of our parks have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award. Based within our Housing, Climate & Economy Directorate, our Leisure, Parks and Green Spaces Service ensures that all of Hackney’s parks and green spaces are safe, accessible for all and inviting to use.

Abney Park is one of Hackney’s finest green spaces and is listed as a Grade II park on Historic England’s register of parks and gardens of historic interest.

As one of the ‘Magnificent 7’ cemeteries in London, it’s the resting place of around 200,000 people in 60,000 graves ranging from elaborate monuments to path-side common grave markers. Abney Park is much loved by residents and visitors alike, providing a significant combination of built, cultural and natural heritage.

In 2020, the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded Hackney Council £4.4million to bring Abney Park’s chapel back into use, create a new café at its main entrance and make the site more accessible.

Redevelopment of the site included strategic development of the site and delivery of an Activity Plan to engage the public and encourage wider use. Over the next 6 months you will protect the legacy of the project through thorough day to day park and building management, continuation of ongoing infrastructure and ecological projects and spotting future opportunities.

You will work closely with Abney Park Trust, a small volunteer-run charity who work in partnership with Hackney Council, the Abney Park User Group and many other local stakeholders. This is a challenging role, but you will have the satisfaction of working to protect and enhance somewhere with regional significance.

You will understand the importance of parks in an inner city environment and have excellent relationship management skills, as you will need to work with a variety of stakeholders to achieve the best for Abney Park.

You must also have a broad range of other skills, particularly in developing strong partnerships, clear strategies, and education and volunteering programmes. You should have equivalent relevant experience or be educated to a degree level in a related area.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications : 29 September 2026 (22:59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 12 October 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our "PROUD" values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership , where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: [email protected]