At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage frontline teams delivering essential environmental services.
- Company: Rochdale Borough Council, dedicated to improving local communities.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, wellbeing support, and discounted gym membership.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and improvement-focused environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on neighbourhoods and public spaces while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large operational teams and strong people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
Rochdale Borough Council is looking for a strong, experienced operational leader to take responsibility for Environmental Quality, Streetscene and Grounds Maintenance services across the borough. This role is about leadership, structure and consistency. You will be responsible for setting clear standards, strengthening performance management, and providing visible, confident leadership to large frontline teams delivering services that matter to residents every day. We are open to candidates from a range of operational backgrounds. What matters most is your ability to lead people well, put robust management arrangements in place, and drive reliable day‑to‑day delivery in a complex, customer‑facing environment.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing strong, visible leadership to large frontline operational teams
- Putting clear structures, expectations and accountability in place across services
- Embedding consistent approaches to performance management, supervision and quality control
- Ensuring services are delivered safely, reliably and to a high standard across the borough
- Managing operational delivery of year‑round and seasonal programmes
- Creating a culture of professionalism, ownership and continuous improvement
- Working closely with elected Members, communities and partners to respond to local priorities and concerns
- Managing significant operational budgets, workforce deployment, fleet and equipment to deliver value for money
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a credible, hands‑on leader with experience of managing large, operational, customer‑facing services. You don't need to have worked specifically in environmental, streetscene or grounds maintenance services. We are interested in leaders who can demonstrate:
- Experience of leading large operational teams in a frontline service environment
- A strong track record of people management, including performance, attendance and conduct
- Experience of introducing structure, consistency and clear ways of working
- The ability to manage performance through data, inspection, supervision and follow‑up
- Experience of managing operational budgets and resources in a demanding environment
- Confidence working in a high‑profile setting with Members, communities and stakeholders
- A commitment to high standards, public service values and continuous improvement
Why Work for Rochdale
At Rochdale Borough Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible difference to neighbourhoods, parks and public spaces, and to lead services that sit at the heart of local communities. We offer:
- A senior leadership role with real scope to shape how services are run
- Support to thrive and develop your career
- A culture focused on improvement, learning and accountability
- Strong wellbeing support and flexible working where possible
- Free on‑site parking at Green Lane
- Discounted gym membership
- Workplace wellbeing initiatives
- Staff groups including Gardening, Menopause Café and Crafting
- Lifestyle savings platform (Vivup)
- Generous annual leave - minimum 29 days, increasing with service
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Service Manager - Environmental Quality, Streetscene & Grounds Maintenance in Rochdale employer: Rochdale Council
Contact Detail:
Rochdale Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Environmental Quality, Streetscene & Grounds Maintenance in Rochdale
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who genuinely cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed budgets, and improved services. This will showcase your hands-on experience and ability to drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Environmental Quality, Streetscene & Grounds Maintenance in Rochdale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in leading large teams. We want to see how you've set clear standards and driven performance in previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership style and impact.
Be Clear and Structured: When writing your application, keep it organised and easy to read. We appreciate a clear structure that outlines your experience and achievements. This will help us see how you can bring that same clarity to our services.
Focus on Customer Service: Since this role is customer-facing, emphasise your experience in managing services that directly impact the community. Share stories that showcase your commitment to high standards and public service values, as these are key to what we do.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rochdale Council
✨Know Your Leadership Style
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the role. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led large teams in the past, focusing on your approach to performance management and accountability.
✨Demonstrate Your Operational Expertise
Prepare to discuss your experience managing operational budgets and resources. Think of concrete examples where you’ve implemented structures or processes that improved service delivery. This will show that you understand the complexities of a customer-facing environment.
✨Engage with Local Priorities
Research Rochdale Borough Council and its community priorities. Be prepared to discuss how you would respond to local concerns and work closely with elected Members and stakeholders. Showing that you’re in tune with the community will set you apart.
✨Show Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Think about how you can foster a culture of professionalism and continuous improvement within your teams. Be ready to share strategies you've used in the past to drive high standards and enhance service quality, as this is crucial for the role.