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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 operations and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model and competitive pay of £650 per day.
- Why this job: Make a borough-wide impact while championing sustainability and innovation.
- 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.
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 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.
Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces employer: 4M Recruitment
Contact Detail:
4M Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the environmental services sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who are already working in similar roles. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially get a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends and challenges in waste management and green spaces. Being knowledgeable about current issues will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨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 improve customer service.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the borough's environmental policies and initiatives. Understanding their goals will enable you to align your vision with theirs, making you a more attractive candidate for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in environmental services, waste management, and leadership roles. 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 excellence. Address how your past experiences align with the responsibilities of the Interim Head of Waste & Green Spaces role, and express your passion for sustainability and community engagement.
Highlight Key Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements that reflect your success in previous roles. For example, mention any significant savings you achieved within budget frameworks or successful projects that improved service delivery.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your leadership style, experience with cross-departmental collaboration, and how you would approach challenges in waste management and green spaces. Prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at 4M Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As the role requires 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 involves shaping long-term strategies for environmental operations. Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning and how you've implemented successful initiatives in past roles, particularly those that align with sustainability and innovation.
✨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.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong cross-sector partnership skills are essential for this role. Think of examples where you've effectively collaborated with various stakeholders, such as local authorities or community groups, and be ready to explain how you foster these relationships to achieve common goals.
