At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead environmental services and climate action in a vibrant London borough.
- Company: Join Kingston, a dynamic and diverse university town with a strong community spirit.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, professional development, and discounts at local businesses.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to employee wellbeing and growth.
- Why this job: Shape Kingston's environmental future while making a real impact on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for climate action and public service.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 77368 £ per year.
About The Borough
Found in zone 6 with good transport links in and out of London, Kingston is a vibrant and diverse university town which creates the rich sense of community shared across the borough and its residents. Kingston boasts an idyllic riverside location, good shopping and great restaurants, as well as a mix of modern and historic town centre. Kingston has lots of open parklands and cycle routes that help connect the district town centres into an enjoyable place to live and work.
About The Role And Our Ideal Candidate
If you are an experienced leader ready to shape the future of environmental services and climate action in one of London’s most ambitious boroughs, we would love to hear from you. You will:
- Provide inspiring leadership across environmental services and climate action
- Lead complex contracts and partnerships to deliver high‑performing services
- Work collaboratively with elected members, residents, businesses and regional partners
- Champion sustainability, community engagement and social value
- Lead service transformation and continuous improvement programmes
- Ensure statutory compliance, strong governance and effective financial management
You will bring:
- A strong track record of senior leadership within a complex organisation
- Significant experience leading large‑scale contracts and commissioned services
- Strong financial and commercial management capability
- Experience delivering transformation, innovation and service improvement
- Excellent stakeholder management and partnership‑building skills
- The ability to operate effectively within a political environment
- A passion for sustainability, climate action and public service
- The confidence to challenge conventional thinking and drive change
- A relevant degree or professional qualification is desirable
About Us
As one of London’s fastest‑growing boroughs, Kingston is balancing growth, sustainability and community wellbeing in a way few places can. From major regeneration and infrastructure investment to ambitious climate action and award‑winning sustainable transport initiatives, Kingston is building a greener, cleaner and more resilient future. We are now seeking an exceptional leader to join us as our next Corporate Head of Environment – a strategic leadership role with responsibility for waste, recycling, street cleansing and the delivery of our ambitious Climate Action Strategy across the Council and with a wide range of stakeholders. This is a rare opportunity to lead high‑profile frontline services while shaping the borough’s environmental future. You will lead a service of approximately 15 staff across three highly dedicated teams, with oversight of a revenue budget of around £15m, ensuring excellent service delivery, value for money and measurable environmental outcomes for residents. Additionally, as a member of the Corporate Leadership Group, you will help shape the wider strategic direction of the Council and contribute to Kingston’s transformation as an enabling, innovative and collaborative organisation. You will also play a key role in strengthening Kingston’s environmental networks and partnerships, including engagement with the South London Waste Partnership and local climate action groups.
Our Offer To You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so that you can put your ideas across however big or small; they will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 25–32 days, plus bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time working hours apply) depending on service and grade.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave.
- Three volunteering days per year in Kingston.
- Hybrid working (dependent on the role).
- Flexible and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks.
- Learning and development portal offering a range of courses.
- Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres.
- Interest‑free season ticket loans.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme.
- Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support.
Additional Information
We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming borough and we strive to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve, and instil a sense of belonging in our staff. We celebrate and respect differences and appreciate the value of having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome applications from under‑represented groups. To support our workers and their families we offer a range of family‑friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda. We are also proud to be a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a role. As an accredited London Living Wage employer, all employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of their length or type of contract.
Corporate Head of Environment in London employer: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Kingston is an exceptional employer that prioritises sustainability, community engagement, and employee development within a vibrant and diverse environment. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, generous leave entitlements, and a supportive culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the borough's environmental future. The opportunity to lead high-profile services while contributing to Kingston's ambitious Climate Action Strategy makes this role both rewarding and significant.
Contact Details:
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Head of Environment in London
✨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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. 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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames when they search for candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Head of Environment in London
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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames'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 Corporate Head of Environment.
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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames 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 Corporate Head of Environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
✨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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
✨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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
✨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 Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. 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.
