At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major procurement and transformation projects in waste and street cleansing services.
- Company: Wandsworth Council, committed to innovative environmental services.
- Benefits: 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Other info: Join an ambitious team focused on sustainability and customer experience.
- Why this job: Shape the future of waste services and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in local government or complex public sector environments.
The predicted salary is between 85878 - 102177 £ per year.
Salary Range: MG3 £85,878 - £102,177 Permanent, Full Time
Location: Wandsworth
Other Essential Information: Expected regular presence in the borough, dependent on need with a minimum of 3 days in the office/borough.
Objective of the role: Lead major procurement, transformation and new service delivery across Wandsworth.
Are you a commercially astute and inspiring leader with the experience to procure complex contracts, deliver major transformation and turn ambitious service plans into successful frontline operations? Wandsworth Council is seeking an exceptional Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing to lead a significant programme of contract procurement, service transformation and implementation across one of London's most visible environmental service portfolios. This is a rare opportunity to shape the next generation of waste and street cleansing services in Wandsworth. You will lead complex procurement and mobilisation programmes, modernise operating models and oversee the rollout of new services, including garden waste, ensuring that change is commercially robust, operationally deliverable and focused on residents and businesses. If you are an experienced senior leader with the commercial expertise, transformation experience and delivery focus to take complex services from procurement through to successful implementation, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role: Reporting to the Director for Waste and Street Cleansing, you will provide strategic leadership for a portfolio of major procurement and transformation projects. You will translate policy and service ambitions into clear commercial strategies, robust specifications, deliverable mobilisation plans and sustainable operating models, while maintaining effective oversight of existing services throughout the transition.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the procurement of high-value, complex waste and street cleansing contracts from start to finish.
- Maintaining high performing low costs services.
The Team:
- Strategic Procurement and Commissioning
- Contract Management and Commercial Assurance
- Waste Strategy and Service Transformation
- Programme Mobilisation and New Service Implementation
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Significant senior leadership experience within local government, environmental services, or a similarly complex public sector environment.
- Proven experience leading major public sector procurements and mobilising high-value, operationally critical contracts.
- Demonstrable experience delivering large-scale transformation programmes, from initial design through to implementation and benefits realisation.
- Strong commercial, financial, programme and risk management skills, with the ability to manage complex, interdependent workstreams and challenging deadlines.
- Excellent stakeholder management and political awareness, with the ability to influence and advise elected Members, senior leaders, contractors, staff and external partners.
- Ability to balance strategic vision with operational delivery, demonstrating sound commercial judgement, customer focus, and attention to operational readiness.
What Success Looks Like:
- Deliver compliant, competitive procurements that secure high-quality services and demonstrable value for money.
- Mobilise new contractual arrangements safely, on time and with clear operational accountability.
- Successfully design and roll out new services, including garden waste, with strong resident take-up and a positive customer experience.
- Realise agreed transformation benefits, efficiencies and environmental outcomes.
- Establish robust performance, financial and risk controls across programmes and contracts.
- Build trusted relationships with Members, staff, residents, contractors and strategic partners throughout change.
Why Join Us? Wandsworth Council is ambitious about the future of its environmental services. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-profile commercial and transformation programmes that will shape how waste and street cleansing services are commissioned and delivered for Wandsworth's residents and businesses. You'll have the opportunity to:
- Shape and lead major contract procurements from strategy to successful mobilisation.
- Design and implement new operating models and customer-focused services.
- Lead the rollout of garden waste and other priority environmental service changes.
- Deliver measurable improvements in quality, value for money, sustainability and customer experience.
- Work for an ambitious council with talented teams, senior stakeholders and delivery partners.
Indicative Recruitment timeline:
- Closing Date: 16th November 2026
- Shortlisting Date: W/C 23rd November 2026
- Interview Date: Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th November 2026
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Occupational Therapists, offering extensive benefits such as 40 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a generous pension plan. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, the councils encourage innovation and provide opportunities for leadership within a culture that values diversity and promotes positive outcomes for residents. This role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community but also supports your professional journey in a collaborative setting.
Contact Details:
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing
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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Waste and Street Cleansing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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