The Role

• Are you seeking working arrangements that enhance your work life balance?
• Do you want to work for an organisation that is committed to your personal development?
• Are you looking to make a difference by leading and inspiring Waste Management and Street Cleansing Services?

If you answered yes, we want to hear from you.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are seeking a dedicated and experienced Head of Service for its Waste Management and Street Cleansing Services.

About the opportunity

The role of Head of Waste and Street Cleansing will involve leading our highly regarded key resident services including refuse, recycling, and street cleansing. Whilst the majority of our front-line services are delivered through contracts, you will have the technical expertise and confidence to build effective working relationships in order to initiate, develop and deliver successful services to our residents and businesses. You will utilise professional knowledge to develop and deliver appropriate strategy and action to achieve corporate climate and sustainable policy objectives. You will have direct responsibility for depot related activities including the Townmead Road household waste and recycling facility in Richmond.

This position is based across Richmond and Wandsworth and you will be expected to spend a significant amount of time visiting sites across both boroughs.

You will work with a range of colleagues and services across the Councils, along with external partners within the industry. You will also have the opportunity work with Councillors and residents.

About the person

A commercial, operational, and strategically astute leader with previous experience delivering our ongoing programme of service improvements at a local and regional level. Dynamic in outlook with a problem-solving approach to service issues.

You will be working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and therefore essential that you have excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills, to allow you to develop contacts and relationships with customers, external organisations and internal contacts. You will be responsible for managing an allocated department budget, ensuring compliance with external and Council guidelines, as well as acting strategically to drive the service forward.

Key skills

• Substantial knowledge and experience of waste and street cleansing.
• Relevant Degree (or equivalent) or qualification in Waste Management i.e. Diploma in Environmental Waste Management or equivalent by experience.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and experience of service planning and management in a comparable organisation.
• Excellent communicator, enabling you to manage performance and attendance, investigate accidents and disciplinary matters and report to the Senior Management Team, Directors and Committees on key performance reports.

The Head of Waste and Street Cleansing is a key role, and we are looking for somebody who can make a difference to lead and inspire the service. In return you will receive a competitive salary, benefits, and a commitment to your continuing development.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: Sunday 15 August 2021

Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 16 August 2021

Interview Dates:

Preliminary interviews: Wednesday 25 / Thursday 26 August 2021

Final interviews: Wednesday 1 / Thursday 2 September 2021

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils