At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and management of innovative waste strategies for a sustainable future.
- Company: Cambridgeshire County Council, committed to environmental sustainability and community service.
- Benefits: Wellbeing package, flexible leave, development opportunities, and paid volunteering hours.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to positive change and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on waste transformation and contribute to climate objectives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategy development and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Cambridgeshire County Council is embarking on a significant waste transformation programme. With major national reforms, evolving environmental legislation and a drive for optimising value for money, environmental outcomes and service delivery from our contracted services, we are seeking an exceptional Waste Strategy Manager on a temporary basis until the end of March 2028 (with the potential for an extension to this date) to lead this complex and high‑profile agenda.
What will you be doing?
- Leading the design, coordination and programme management of long‑term waste strategy and waste transformation workstreams.
- Providing expert commercial, technical and legislative advice to senior officers, Elected Members and the Programme Board.
- Overseeing procurement and negotiation of waste service options, ensuring alignment with waste hierarchy principles and circular economy objectives.
- Managing complex interdependencies across all programme workstreams, identifying risks, issues and opportunities.
- Building strong partnerships with district councils, national agencies, contractors, consultants and the RECAP partnership.
- Ensuring programme delivery supports carbon reduction, climate objectives and the Council's Net Zero commitments.
- Representing the Council at senior level meetings, influencing local, regional and national waste policy discussions.
About you
We are looking for someone with a strong track record of developing and delivering strategies, ideally within a complex local government or public sector environment. The postholder should be a confident leader with excellent analytical, financial and programme management capabilities, able to influence senior stakeholders, manage change effectively and translate strategic objectives into practical, deliverable outcomes that support environmental sustainability and value for money.
Our benefits
- A comprehensive wellbeing package to cover all aspects of wellbeing, both in and out of work, which can also be accessed by your family.
- Buy up to 4 weeks additional annual leave (pro‑rata) through our salary sacrifice scheme.
- Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your 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 your personal and professional growth.
- Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day.
- 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 you access to in‑store and online discounts as well as our Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Cambridgeshire County Council is a Disability Confident Leader. We fully support providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, as well as when you join us, and we encourage candidates to contact the hiring manager to discuss any adjustment needs. 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. We collect relevant diversity data for monitoring as part of the recruitment process to understand the diversity of our applicants and monitor any trends throughout the recruitment processes so that we can take meaningful action.
Our values
Our four values are central to our culture, driving everything we do. We are proud to serve the diverse communities of Cambridgeshire and want our workforce to be reflective of this diversity, which we firmly believe benefits our colleagues, the organisation and our communities.
Waste Strategy Manager in Waterbeach employer: Cambridge County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible leave options, paid volunteering hours, and access to development opportunities, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their community while advancing their careers. The Council's commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures a welcoming environment for all, making it an attractive place for those passionate about environmental sustainability and public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waste Strategy Manager in Waterbeach
✨Get Engaged in Local Politics
Dive into your local council meetings or community boards. These spaces are packed with people who are already in the public sector and might have insider tips on upcoming temporary roles. Plus, you can connect directly with key decision-makers.
✨Stay Alert for Seasonal Recruitment
Many public sector jobs ramp up during certain times of the year, especially around election seasons or local budget planning periods. Keep your eyes peeled for recruitment drives during these windows, as they're prime times for temporary positions.
✨Leverage Online Job Portals
Don’t forget to check government job boards or websites like the local council's site for temporary postings. This is where many roles first get advertised, and applying directly here can speed things up.
✨Tap Into Your University Resources
If you're at university, make the most of your career services to discover opportunities in the public sector. They often have connections with local government employers who are looking for temporary staff and can help you polish your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Waste Strategy Manager in Waterbeach
Some tips for your application 🫡
Emphasise your understanding of public policy:In your application, make sure to highlight any knowledge or experience you have related to public policy, governance or community engagement. Show us how you can contribute to the public sector’s mission, especially if you've worked on relevant projects or initiatives before!
Tailor your CV to the sector's expectations:When crafting your CV, focus on including experiences that showcase your ability to work within government structures or similar environments. Use clear, concise language and consider adding any volunteer work or internships that reflect your commitment to public service.
Show flexibility and willingness to learn:Since this is a temporary role, it’s crucial to convey your adaptability and eagerness to pick up new skills quickly. In your cover letter, let us know how you plan to make the most of this short-term experience and what you hope to learn from it.
Include relevant certificates and training:If you've completed any training or have certifications that are relevant to the role (like public administration, project management, or data analysis), don't forget to mention them. These can really make you stand out in the application process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge County Council
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Public Service
In the government and public sector, showing that you're genuinely passionate about serving the community is key. Get ready to share examples where you've contributed to social good or tackled community issues, as this will resonate with interviewers from Cambridge County Council.
✨Prepare for Policy and Regulatory Questions
Expect questions about policies, regulations, or recently implemented government initiatives. Brush up on the latest news relating to public sector developments—being informed will help you demonstrate that you're ready to hit the ground running, especially in a temporary role.
✨Flexibility is Your Best Friend
Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your ability to adapt quickly. Share examples where you've successfully taken on new challenges or adjusted to different team dynamics, that'll show Cambridge County Council that you’re reliable and can effectively support various projects without a long onboarding process.
✨Prepare to Showcase Teamwork Skills
In the public sector, collaboration is vital. Be ready to discuss past experiences working in teams, especially in diverse environments. Highlight how you've contributed positively to group settings—this could really set you apart from other candidates in this temporary role.
