Strategic Director - Environment & Communities

Are you ready to lead transformative change in a unique and diverse borough? Blackburn with Darwen is a place where industrial heritage meets rural beauty, presenting challenges and opportunities that require bold leadership and innovative thinking. In a time of financial pressures and heightened environmental priorities, we are committed to reshaping public services, keeping our communities at the heart of everything we do, and setting new standards for excellence. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on a borough that is redefining what is possible in local government. About the Role As Strategic Director of Environment and Communities, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Council’s Corporate Plan objectives. You have the opportunity to shape the Borough’s future by driving strategic initiatives that develop a leisure and wellbeing service that understands our community’s needs. You’ll also have the opportunity to champion long-term strategies that ensure there are maximum improvements around community safety, integration and cohesion. This includes environmental action; developing and implementing policies and strategies to combat climate change, achieve carbon neutrality, and address key issues such as air quality and sustainable energy. Across the Council, we are looking to modernise Service Delivery, guiding an efficient and future-focused operational highways and environmental services team, including our waste management services including recycling, ensuring integrated teams and systems are efficient, sustainable, and socially supported. You will see the impact you have as you lead from the front across this crucial team, ensuring that the proper management of waste protects not just our rural scenes, but supports our vision of being a sustainable borough. This is a leadership opportunity that blends strategic vision with hands-on impact, liaising with large teams of internal colleagues, partnering with our vibrant communities and ensuring the best outcomes across leisure, wellbeing and sustainability. About You We are looking for an experienced leader with the vision, resilience, and strategic insight to guide Blackburn with Darwen into a sustainable and inclusive future. Collaborative Leadership : You bring a proven ability to work in complex political and business environments, building productive partnerships with elected members, committees, colleagues, and external stakeholders. Strategic Expertise : With a relevant professional qualification or substantial senior management experience, you demonstrate an exceptional track record of delivering impactful outcomes in large organisations. Environmental and Community Vision : Your understanding of environmental challenges and opportunities, combined with your experience in driving integration, leisure, and wellbeing initiatives, will set you apart. Engaging and Inspirational : You can unite teams and communities around a shared purpose, fostering innovation and ensuring services deliver real value for residents. This role offers a platform to implement bold ideas and lead a team that is passionate about making a difference. Join us in shaping a brighter future for Blackburn with Darwen. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge, we want to hear from you. Apply today and let’s work together to create world-class services for our communities. View the job description here . For more information, please visit the microsite . For a confidential conversation, please contact one of our advisors at Tile Hill: Bella Bennett 07918 976494 Clare Connor 0161 408 0703 Closing date for applications: Midnight Wednesday 8th January To apply: To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (four sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (four sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact abbie.hamilton-grant@tile-hill.co.uk . Full contact details; Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees); Details of your current salary and notice period; Notification of any dates when you are not available for an interview. At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk. #J-18808-Ljbffr