At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage strategic waste projects to modernise services and infrastructure.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible holidays, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong support for diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate change while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in project management; no direct waste experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Our Waste Strategy team sits at the centre of a major transformation in how Cambridgeshire manages its waste. National policy, environmental expectations and new legislation are reshaping the sector, and our service is leading a significant programme of work to modernise waste services, infrastructure and long‑term contracts. We are seeking an exceptional Strategic Waste Projects Manager to support this complex and high‑profile agenda.
Responsibilities
- Helping to deliver improved value for money from long‑term contracts worth tens of millions of pounds.
- Supporting the development of future waste services and infrastructure, influencing how residents access and use services.
- Ensuring the Council responds effectively to rapidly evolving national waste legislation and policy.
- Contributing to the Council's climate change and Net Zero ambitions, helping reduce the environmental impact of waste.
- Enabling informed decisions by senior leaders and elected members on high‑risk, high‑value strategic programmes.
What will you be doing?
- Lead and manage multiple projects and workstreams within the Waste PFI Programme, ensuring they are delivered on time, to budget and to a high standard.
- Coordinate and work closely with a wide range of stakeholders including senior managers, elected members, advisors, contractors and partner organisations.
- Develop and maintain project plans, business cases and performance reports, providing clear updates on progress, risks and outcomes.
- Manage budgets, financial reporting and risk, ensuring strong governance and value for money.
- Identify and manage dependencies, issues and risks, escalating where appropriate and driving solutions.
- Commission and oversee external consultants and specialist advisors across legal, financial, commercial, procurement and technical areas.
- Lead and support project team members (including internal staff and external partners) to deliver key outcomes.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of future waste services and infrastructure.
- Support the Council's climate change and Net Zero commitments through improved waste services and innovation.
Benefits
- Annual leave, sick pay, pension and mileage.
- A comprehensive wellbeing package covering all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, also available to family.
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro‑rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to suit personal circumstances.
- Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings.
- Access to development opportunities, apprenticeships and qualified coaches to support personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year to make a positive impact on the community during normal working hours.
- Access to Peer Support Groups through our IDEAL staff equality, diversity and inclusion network.
- Opportunities to nominate and receive Employee Recognition Awards.
- An Our Cambs Rewards account, giving access to in‑store and online discounts and our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
About you
We’re looking for a confident project or programme professional who can deliver complex work, manage stakeholders and drive outcomes in a fast‑paced environment with a degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field and a project management qualification or willingness to work towards one. The postholder should be experienced in delivering projects or programmes in complex organisations; have strong stakeholder management and influencing skills; experience of managing budgets, risks and governance; excellent communication, problem‑solving and organisational skills; the ability to lead or coordinate teams, partners or suppliers; and be confident in the use of information technology and project management tools. You don’t need direct waste experience. If you’ve delivered complex projects in sectors such as infrastructure, construction, utilities or consultancy, we’d love to hear from you. We will support you to develop sector‑specific knowledge.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, and when you join us. Through a Guaranteed Interview Scheme, we will offer an interview to all applicants who disclose a disability and meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy. On your application form you can indicate you are disabled. Some examples of reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process could include additional time to complete an assessment or printing a document on pastel coloured paper with larger font size and line spacing. We would value talking about what might be possible to enable you to join us and thrive, so if there is something that would help you to do your best during your journey with us, please get in touch.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, along with our employee network 'IDEAL' and self‑organised peer support groups help us to foster an inclusive, supportive and safe working environment where people feel valued, respected, and empowered. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action.
Strategic Waste Projects Manager in Cambridge employer: Cambridge County Council
As a leading employer in the waste management sector, we offer a dynamic work environment where innovation meets sustainability. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including flexible leave options and professional development opportunities, ensuring that you can grow both personally and professionally while contributing to our ambitious climate change goals. Join us in Cambridgeshire, where your expertise will directly impact the community and help shape the future of waste services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Waste Projects Manager in Cambridge
✨Dive into Environmental Networks
Get involved with sustainability-focused organisations and attend their events. Look for local meetups or conferences in environmental management where you can connect with professionals in the field. This can lead to insider info on job openings at companies like Cambridge County Council that might not be advertised widely.
✨Show Your Passion with Projects
Consider undertaking personal or community projects that highlight your dedication to sustainability. Whether it's a local clean-up or a carbon footprint assessment, document your findings and results. This not only boosts your portfolio but also shows potential employers like Cambridge County Council that you're proactive and serious about the field.
✨Seek Out Green Job Boards
Don’t just rely on general job boards. Explore specific platforms that focus on sustainability and environmental management roles. Websites like EnvironmentJobs and Sustainable Business can be goldmines for full-time positions at companies like Cambridge County Council. Keep an eye out for their aggregation of listings!
✨Let Your Online Presence Shine
Make sure your social media and professional profiles reflect your passion for sustainability. Share articles, engage in discussions, and connect with leaders in the field. Your active presence can make a lasting impression on hiring managers at companies like Cambridge County Council when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Waste Projects Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sustainability:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sustainability shine through. Share any relevant experiences, like projects, volunteer work, or events you've participated in that align with Cambridge County Council's values. This position isn't just about meeting qualifications; it's about genuinely caring for the environment and showing us why you're the right fit for Strategic Waste Projects Manager.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications and Experience:Make sure to showcase any specific qualifications, such as degrees in environmental science or certifications in sustainability practices in your CV. We want to see how your academic background and practical experiences align with the job you're applying for, so don’t hold back on anything that demonstrates your expertise in environmental management.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:As we're looking for someone to jump into a full-time role, be specific about previous roles or projects that demonstrate your capabilities in sustainability. Use bullet points to make accomplishments clear, and don’t forget to quantify your achievements wherever possible – it’s all about showing us the impact of your work!
Research Cambridge County Council and Reflect It In Your Application:We love candidates who take the time to understand what we're about. Mention specific initiatives or projects that Cambridge County Council is known for in your cover letter. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely excited about the chance to contribute to our mission in the role of Strategic Waste Projects Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge County Council
✨Brush Up on Environmental Legislation
Given that we're diving into sustainability and environmental management, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of current environmental laws and regulations. Be prepared to discuss how these laws apply to real-world scenarios, as you might face some technical questions about compliance and best practices during your chat with Cambridge County Council.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Sustainability Projects
When you're discussing your background, highlight specific sustainability initiatives you've been involved in. Whether it’s a project at university or work experience, sharing measurable outcomes and your role will demonstrate your hands-on skills, which is super important for this full-time role at Cambridge County Council.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Software
Make sure you're familiar with any relevant tools or software commonly used in environmental management, like GIS for mapping or data analysis tools. Bring this up in your interview as it shows you’re not only passionate but also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
✨Connect Your Values with the Company's Mission
Full-time roles are all about team fit, so it’s important to align your personal values with those of Cambridge County Council. Be ready to discuss why you're passionate about sustainability and how you can contribute to their mission, as this will really resonate with the interviewers and show that you’re genuinely invested in their goals.
