Head of Service – Waste and Fleet Services in Oldbury

Sandwell Council’s Environment & Public Protection Division is seeking a Head of Service – Waste and Fleet Services to join its established team. As Head of Service, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for designated service areas, ensuring delivery aligns with the Council Plan and wider corporate priorities. You will lead service planning, performance improvement and transformation, manage significant budgets, and provide high‑level professional advice to senior officers, Cabinet Members and elected members. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will contribute to corporate strategy, lead cross‑council initiatives, and deputise for the Service Director as required to ensure effective, efficient and customer‑focused service delivery.

In this role you will:

• Provide high‑level professional advice to the Council, Cabinet Members and senior leaders on waste, street cleansing and fleet services, preparing and presenting evidence‑based reports and recommendations.
• Act as the operational client for the Council’s Integrated Waste and Street Cleansing Contract and the Waste‑to‑Resource (W2R) disposal contract, ensuring strong client‑side governance and value for money.
• Work in partnership with service providers to deliver high‑quality household waste and recycling services, maximising recycling rates and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure waste disposal arrangements are sustainable, cost‑effective and aligned with best‑value principles.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of end‑to‑end customer processes, ensuring services are accessible, efficient and customer‑focused.
• Through contractual arrangements, support the maintenance of high standards of street cleanliness and the prompt clearance of fly‑tipping.
• Provide expert professional advice on waste, fleet and related services, with particular emphasis on new and emerging legislation and best practice.
• Lead the delivery of an effective, compliant and efficient Fleet Service, ensuring all vehicles and equipment meet legislative, licensing and safety requirements.
• Ensure the Council’s vehicle and equipment fleet is optimised, shared where possible, and surplus assets are identified and disposed of appropriately.
• Drive the development of an environmentally sustainable fleet, supporting the transition to lower‑emission vehicles where practical and affordable.
• Ensure robust financial and resource management across all areas of responsibility, delivering agreed performance outcomes on time and within budget.
• Lead and support managers through effective performance management, adopting a constructive high‑support / high‑challenge approach.
• Represent the Council externally with partners, agencies and professional networks, strengthening the Council’s reputation and influence regionally and nationally.
• Champion health, safety, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, modelling the highest standards of public service and professional conduct.

Attributes that you would bring to the role:

• Proven experience operating at a senior level within waste, environmental, infrastructure or similarly complex operational services.
• Strong client‑side contract management capability, including experience of managing large‑scale outsourced services and strategic partnerships.
• A sound understanding of waste, recycling, fleet and environmental legislation, with the ability to translate regulatory change into effective service delivery.
• Demonstrable financial and commercial acumen, including budget management, cost control and value‑for‑money decision‑making.
• A customer‑focused mindset, with experience of improving end‑to‑end service processes and enhancing the customer journey.
• The ability to work collaboratively with elected members, senior leaders, service providers and partners to resolve complex or sensitive issues.
• Strong people‑management skills, with a track record of leading performance, engagement and staff development in line with HR and OD best practice.
• A proactive, improvement‑focused approach, with experience of service transformation, sustainability initiatives and continuous improvement.
• High levels of professional integrity, resilience and judgement, reflecting the standards expected of senior public office holders.
• A commitment to the Council’s values and ‘One Team’ culture, acting as a visible champion for change, accountability and collaboration.

At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values‑led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive. Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work.