At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in delivering essential recycling and refuse services across Colchester.
- Company: Join Colchester City Council, a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and discounts at popular retailers.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth during a transformative period for the service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while advancing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Management qualification or relevant experience required; driving licence essential.
The predicted salary is between 39321 - 44039 £ per year.
Salary: £39,321 to £44,039 per annum
Contractual hours: 37
Basis: Full time
Date posted: 20/07/2026
Job reference: COLREQ01668
Contract Type: 12 month fixed-term/secondment
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday 0600-16.30 hrs, on a shift basis with weekend working as required
Location: Civic Offices including Shrub End Depot and homeworking
Please be aware of the potential interview dates of 10 and 12 August.
About us
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and resourceful individual to join our highly successful Recycling and Refuse Team. The Recycling, Refuse & Fleet Service is delivered in-house from our Shrub End depot, serving over 89,000 households across Colchester. With a dedicated workforce of more than 150 employees and a fleet of 50 vehicles, this is one of the Council’s most vital services—touching the lives of every resident in our city. 2026 and 2027 is a pivotal period for the Service as we implement major changes to meet the needs of Colchester, a growing, vibrant, newly designated city, while navigating an increasingly challenging financial landscape. At the same time, we are preparing for upcoming legislative reforms, advancing our environmental ambitions, and ensuring the Service is ready for Local Government Reform. Thanks to our hardworking and passionate team, this period promises to be both exciting and transformative—and you will play a key role in leading the way.
We have an ambitious programme to deliver, underpinned by our new waste strategy, which will see the service rolling out wheeled bins for kerbside collections and implementing the Government's plans for ‘Simpler Recycling’, whilst implementing changes in operations, including training for crews, new vehicles and technology. There will also be updates to Trade Waste services and new collection methods to be implemented between now and March 2027.
Responsibilities include:
- Lead as part of a high performing and flexible team that are empowered to deliver services across Colchester
- Manage, direct and monitor services delivered by teams working across the Recycling and Refuse teams
- Ensure all employee Health and Safety requirements are adhered to and undertaken
- Be responsible for the line management of a proportion of the workforce, proactively contributing to improving service standards and performance
- Deploy the service as the duty manager on a rotational basis alongside the other Neighbourhood Managers working a combination of 6am shifts, as well as hybrid working.
Why work with us?
We pride ourselves on our inclusive and supportive staff culture. As a member of the team, you would have access to various benefits, including:
- Attractive local government pension scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Discounts and cashback on purchases at many nationwide services and retailers, including:
- Healthcare providers
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Entertainment
- Home and Garden stores
- Fashion outlets
- Sport and Leisure facilities
Qualifications, skills and experience
Applicants must have:
- A management qualification (ILM Level 3 or higher or equivalent) or relevant experience
- An understanding of waste and environmental legislation
- Experience of working in a fast-paced, operational environment
- A full UK driving licence.
We are committed to investing in the learning and development of our employees and prefer applicants to have:
- Positive, polite, and professional attitude
- Experience in inspiring, motivating, empowering, and enabling others
- Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
- A good level of resilience
- A proven track record in managing team performance and attendance
- Experience of leading and implementing change
- Experience of using Microsoft Office365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Organisational and cultural awareness, diplomacy, and tact.
Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.
Neighbourhood Manager (Recycling and Refuse) in Colchester employer: Colchester Borough Council
Colchester Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professional development and community impact. As a Senior Planning Enforcement Officer, you will enjoy flexible working arrangements, a comprehensive local government pension scheme, and access to extensive health and wellbeing programs, all while contributing to meaningful projects in the Braintree area.
Contact Details:
Colchester Borough Council Recruitment Team
