Position Overview: The Landscape Manager is responsible for the stewardship of all outdoor spaces at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, including lush gardens, lawns, plantings and beachfront areas. This senior role balances strategic oversight – including planning, budgeting and team leadership – with hands-on horticultural expertise in tropical plant care, irrigation, and beach maintenance. The manager ensures the resort’s grounds are safe, vibrant and guest-ready year-round, while advancing Hilton’s sustainability commitments (part of its “Travel with Purpose” goal. The Landscape Manager leads the grounds staff and works closely with other departments and vendors to create and maintain a resort landscape that delights guests and respects the environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Landscape & Grounds Management: Lead the planning, implementation and maintenance of all landscaped areas (gardens, lawns, plant beds). Oversee planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest and weed control to promote healthy plant growth and vibrant grounds.
Irrigation Systems: Manage and maintain all irrigation and watering systems, ensuring efficient water use and plant health. Prioritize irrigation, fertilization, seeding and mowing schedules based on site needs and seasonal conditions.
Beach Care: Oversee daily beach maintenance operations, including sand cleaning, debris removal, sand leveling and erosion control, to keep the resort’s beachfront safe and pristine. Monitor weather forecasts and coordinate storm response or special maintenance (e.g. debris after storms) as needed.
Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship: Implement eco-friendly landscaping practices (water conservation, use of native/drought-tolerant plants, organic fertilization, integrated pest management) in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose environmental targets. Ensure landscape designs and maintenance adhere to high environmental standards, minimizing chemical use and protecting beach/coastal ecosystems.
Team Leadership: Recruit, train, schedule and evaluate a diverse grounds and beach maintenance team. Provide clear direction, technical guidance and performance feedback. Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture among the grounds staff to consistently achieve Hilton’s quality standards.
Budgeting & Resource Management: Develop and manage the grounds department budget. Authorize purchasing of plants, tools, chemicals and equipment, maintaining inventories and tracking expenses to ensure cost-effective operations. Prepare cost proposals for major landscape projects or renovations.
Vendor & Contractor Coordination: Identify and manage external contractors and suppliers for specialized work (e.g. large tree care, major planting projects, irrigation upgrades). Oversee vendor selection, negotiate scopes of work, and ensure all contracted work meets Hilton’s quality and safety standards.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety: Enforce compliance with all relevant safety regulations and hotel policies during landscaping operations. Conduct regular safety briefings, ensure proper handling of chemicals and equipment, and maintain accident/inventory logs. Coordinate with local authorities on environmental or coastal permits as required.
Guest Focus & Collaboration: Collaborate with Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Events and other departments to support outdoor guest experiences (e.g., preparing lawns for events or weddings). Respond promptly to guest and staff requests related to the grounds. Maintain outdoor areas in a way that enhances guest satisfaction and aligns with Hilton’s reputation for exceptional hospitality.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science or a related field. (Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.)
Experience: Minimum 5+ years of progressive experience in commercial or resort landscape management, including at least 3 years in a supervisory role. Prior experience in a tropical resort setting is strongly preferred.
Technical Skills: Demonstrated expertise in tropical plant species, soil management, irrigation systems, and sustainable horticultural practices. Proficiency in project budgeting, inventory management and use of standard software (MS Office; landscape design/maintenance applications).
Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead and motivate a diverse team, with strong project management and organizational skills. Experience preparing operational reports, managing budgets and coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
Personal Qualities: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with hotel departments and external partners. Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Skills and Competencies:
Leadership & Teamwork: Strong leadership abilities to inspire and direct the grounds team; fosters a positive and inclusive work environment. Works collaboratively across departments to achieve shared goals.
Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of tropical landscape maintenance, including plant care, irrigation technology, equipment operation and pest management. Keeps up-to-date on new horticultural techniques and environmental best practices.
Planning & Organization: Excellent planning, scheduling and project-management skills. Able to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and oversee long-term landscape projects while handling day-to-day maintenance needs.
Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills; able to give instructions, train staff and liaise effectively with suppliers, guests and management. Provides professional customer service and resolves landscaping-related guest inquiries courteously.
Budget & Resource Management: Skilled at cost control and resource allocation; able to manage budgets, maintain inventories and forecast supply needs efficiently.
Safety & Compliance: Knowledgeable about industry safety standards (e.g., pesticide handling, equipment operation) and environmental regulations (especially coastal zone and waste management). Consistently enforces safe work practices and regulatory compliance.
Initiative & Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful; anticipates issues in grounds maintenance or beach care and develops practical solutions. Demonstrated ability to improve processes and embrace innovation in landscaping.
Working Conditions: This position is primarily outdoors in a tropical environment. The Landscape Manager will be frequently exposed to the sun, heat, humidity, rain and other weather conditions, and will regularly work on uneven terrain (gardens, beaches, slopes). The role may require climbing ladders or operating light machinery to maintain plants and shorelines. The work schedule can be flexible: early mornings or weekends may be needed for irrigation or to support guest events and emergency weather response. The manager is occasionally exposed to lawn chemicals and must follow safety protocols. Physical activities include walking, lifting, and standing for long periods, in accordance with Hilton’s safety guidelines.
Hilton Values & Brand Integration: Hilton’s culture is built on exceptional hospitality, teamwork, and responsibility to people and the planet. The Landscape Manager should embrace Hilton’s Mission and Vision – “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality” – by creating outdoor spaces that welcome guests and reflect Hilton’s service excellence. Upholding Hilton’s Travel with Purpose sustainability goals is also integral; for example, by helping implement initiatives that reduce environmental impact (Hilton has committed to halve its footprint by 2030). Consistent with Hilton’s values of integrity, respect and community, the Landscape Manager will foster an inclusive work environment, protect Fiji’s coastal environment, and ensure the resort’s grounds contribute positively to the guest experience and Hilton’s global brand standards