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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead waste management and green spaces, overseeing 500+ staff and a £29m budget.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on environmental excellence and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive pay, and the chance to influence sustainability initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a borough-wide impact while championing innovation and environmental responsibility.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in environmental services with experience managing large teams and budgets.
- Other info: Potential for long-term contract extensions in a high-profile role.
The predicted salary is between 46800 - 78000 £ per year.
Our client is currently looking to recruit an Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces on an initial contract basis.
London - Hybrid
£650 per day inside IR35
Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces to lead one of the borough’s most high-profile public-facing services. If you’re a strategic thinker with a strong track record in environmental operations, people leadership, and customer service excellence — this is a rare opportunity to make a borough-wide impact.
Reporting to the Director of Environment, this is a high-responsibility interim leadership role that manages critical services including waste collection, street cleansing, parks and open spaces, cemeteries, recycling centres, and the borough’s green assets, including Ruislip Lido and golf courses.
Your Role and Impact
As Interim Head of Service, you will lead over 500 staff (direct and agency) and manage a £29m+ budget. You’ll be responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, innovative and efficient delivery across all services, balancing environmental priorities with operational excellence.
You’ll play a key part in shaping long-term strategies that support biodiversity, decarbonisation, and sustainable resource use, and lead cross-departmental projects with partners across the borough and beyond — from education to housing and enforcement to planning. This is an exciting challenge for someone who can confidently navigate complex operational systems, champion continuous improvement, and serve as an ambassador for Hillingdon at a regional and national level.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage frontline operations across waste management, green spaces, street cleansing, and related services.
- Oversee strategic use of major operational hubs.
- Ensure health & safety, legislative, and environmental compliance across all services.
- Drive innovation and sustainability, aligning services with the clients environmental targets and the Environmental Bill.
- Manage budgets of up to £29 million and deliver key savings within the MTFF framework.
- Represent the borough in regional and national forums; influence policy and promote best practice.
- Collaborate with partners across services such as Housing, Planning, Enforcement, and Public Health.
- Lead a highly visible team culture with a focus on performance, customer service and engagement with residents and elected members.
About You
You are a proven leader in environmental services, waste management, or grounds maintenance, with substantial experience managing large teams and delivering complex frontline operations. You’re as comfortable overseeing strategy and performance targets as you are responding to real-world service issues on the ground.
Essential:
- Extensive experience in senior operational roles within public realm/environmental services.
- Demonstrated success in leading large teams and managing multi-million-pound budgets.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation (waste, health & safety, environmental compliance).
- Strong cross-sector partnership and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent communication and public engagement abilities.
Desirable:
- Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM).
- Public speaking experience at a national or industry level.
- A current UK driving licence and the ability to access all outdoor and green space sites.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established organisation with potential for long term contract extensions.
Head of Waste and Green Spaces employer: 4M Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
4M Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Waste and Green Spaces
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the environmental services sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who work in waste management and green spaces. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially get a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and legislation in waste management and environmental compliance. Being knowledgeable about current issues will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Think of specific examples that showcase your ability to drive performance and engage with staff, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the borough's current initiatives and challenges related to waste management and green spaces. Understanding their specific needs will allow you to tailor your approach and show how you can make a positive impact from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Waste and Green Spaces
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in environmental services, waste management, and leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage large teams and budgets, as well as your knowledge of relevant legislation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic thinking and operational expertise. Address how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces role, and express your passion for sustainability and community engagement.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that reflect your success in previous roles. For instance, mention any cost savings you achieved or improvements in service delivery that you spearheaded.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with budget management, team leadership, and compliance with environmental regulations. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you demonstrated problem-solving skills and innovation in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at 4M Recruitment Limited
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As the role involves managing over 500 staff, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led large teams in previous roles, focusing on your ability to motivate and engage staff while achieving operational excellence.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
This position requires a strategic mindset, especially in shaping long-term environmental strategies. Be ready to discuss your approach to developing and implementing strategies that align with sustainability goals, and how you've navigated complex operational systems in the past.
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation related to waste management and environmental compliance. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance within your teams and how you stay updated on changes in legislation that could impact operations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder management skills are essential for this role. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with various partners, such as housing or public health services, and be ready to explain how you build relationships and influence policy at different levels.
