Head Groundsman

About the AIFF National Centre of Excellence

The AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata is a leading football development and training venue built to support and grow Indian football. It offers top-tier infrastructure and functions as a base for national teams as well as football development initiatives.

Role Overview

The Head Groundsman will take charge of maintaining, preparing, and monitoring the quality of all playing surfaces and outdoor spaces at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence, Kolkata. The position demands deep knowledge of turf care, irrigation, and sports field upkeep to keep every pitch aligned with international standards. The right candidate should bring strong leadership, advanced grounds maintenance expertise, and prior experience handling professional football pitches.

Core Responsibilities

You will be responsible for keeping natural grass and artificial turf surfaces in excellent condition for training sessions and competitive fixtures. This includes applying proven turf management practices such as mowing, aeration, fertilization, seeding, irrigation, and pest management. You will also watch over soil quality, drainage, and grass health to preserve consistently high playing conditions. Pitches must be prepared in line with FIFA/AFC requirements, including correct grass length, firmness, and match readiness.

The role also includes managing equipment and facility-related items. You will oversee maintenance of grounds care machinery such as mowers, irrigation systems, and pitch rollers, while also ensuring accurate line marking, field setup, sports lighting, goalposts, corner flags, and related match equipment are ready when needed.

In addition, you will supervise and develop the grounds team by allocating daily duties, reviewing work output, and training staff in current turf care methods and safe equipment use. Building a productive, cooperative team culture is an important part of this position.

You will also be expected to uphold health, safety, and environmental standards in all maintenance work. This includes carrying out risk checks, keeping the workspace safe for both staff and players, and responding effectively to weather-related challenges such as heavy rainfall or drought.

Planning and coordination are key aspects of the job as well. You will create seasonal maintenance plans for the pitches and surrounding areas, coordinate with AIFF officials, coaches, and event teams to ensure the ground is ready for camps, tournaments, and national team activities, and work with vendors and suppliers to source fertilizers, seeds, and other maintenance materials.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have 10 to 15 years of experience in grounds maintenance, preferably within a professional football or sports facility. Practical knowledge of FIFA/AFC pitch standards is essential. A strong understanding of irrigation systems, drainage, and soil care is also required, along with proven experience managing a grounds team and handling larger maintenance assignments. Familiarity with modern grounds equipment and current pitch maintenance methods is expected. The role may require flexible working hours, including weekends and evenings, depending on match and training schedules. Knowledge of Indian climatic conditions and their effect on pitch maintenance would be an added advantage.

Preferred Attributes

The ideal candidate will be highly detail-focused, capable of solving problems quickly, comfortable working under pressure, and able to meet tight deadlines. Strong communication and coordination abilities are important, along with genuine interest in football and a commitment to maintaining world-class facilities.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be competitive and linked to the candidate’s experience. The role offers the chance to work in a high-performance football environment, along with access to professional development and training opportunities. Additional benefits will be provided in line with AIFF policies.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates must send an updated CV and cover letter by 28 March 2025. The email should use the subject line: “Application for Head Groundsman – AIFF NCE, Kolkata”.

Additional Note

This opportunity is focused on supporting the future of Indian football by maintaining excellent playing conditions at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence.