Waste Services Operations Lead

Darebin City Council; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly RDO

WFH 1 day per week

Job summary

Darebin City Council in Melbourne is seeking a strategic leader to drive operational change and service improvement across one of the city’s largest waste services. You will oversee transformation initiatives, build workforce capability, and deliver sustainable outcomes that enhance performance and community outcomes.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will manage multiple projects, develop business cases, and partner with frontline teams and contractors to embed new service models and

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational change or transformation initiatives.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven track record delivering service improvements and efficiencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement change management plans for new processes and service models.
• Deliver priority transformation projects within timeframes and budgets.
• Manage multiple operational projects, assess risk, and ensure outcomes.
• Partner with leaders, staff and contractors to deliver outcomes.
• Build team capability and embed continuous improvement practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and service outcomes.
• Develop business cases, implementation plans and performance reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Communication

Continuous improvement

Education

Qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

• 12 Month Fixed-term contract
• Competitive salary + Monthly RDO + WFH 1 day p/w
• Lead operational improvements and transformational initiatives across one of Melbourne's largest community waste services
• Significant leadership and project delivery responsibilities

Lead the transformation of one of Melbourne’s largest community waste services. You'll drive operational excellence, lead business improvement initiatives, and deliver sustainable service outcomes that enhance performance, build workforce capability, culture and create lasting impact for the Darebin community.

About the role

During this 12-month period, you will lead operational change and service improvement initiatives across Waste Services. Working with frontline leaders, staff and contractors, you will drive service excellence, build workforce capability, and deliver sustainable operational improvements. You will also support workforce stability, improve productivity and embed new service models into day-to-day operations.

You will

• Lead operational change and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and implement change management plans to support successful adoption of new processes and service models within the Waste Services.
• Deliver priority transformation projects and service improvements
• Manage multiple operational projects and initiatives, managing risk and delivery agrees outcomes within established timeframes and budgets.
• Partner with leaders, staff and contractors
• Build effective relationships with frontline leaders, operations staff and contractors through strong communication, collaboration and engagement.
• Build capability and embed continuous improvement practices Build team capability and embed consistent continuous improvements practices, and tools and ways of working across Waste Services.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and service outcomes
• Review existing operational practices and identify efficiencies across waste collection, resource recovery and associated services.
• Workforce and Resource optimisation
• Develop business cases, implementation plans and performance reporting and reduce reliance of labour hire staff.

About you

You are strategic and proactive leader with a passion for driving operational excellence, delivering change and achieving measurable results. You’ll bring strong project management, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence outcomes and deliver sustainable service improvements in complex operational environments.

To be successful in this role, you will bring

• Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in business, operations, project management, engineering, environmental management or a related field
• Demonstrated experience leading operational change, business improvement or transformation initiatives
• A proven track record delivering service improvements and operational efficiencies
• Strong project management, planning and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working in complex operational environments
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building capabilities
• Sound knowledge of workforce planning, performance management and continuous improvement practices

Highly regarded

• Experience in local government, waste management, logistics or infrastructure services

Why Darebin

Darebin City Council is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We proudly serve one of the most diverse communities in Victoria, and we know that a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.

We offer

• A supportive team environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• A workplace that values collaboration, integrity, respect and creativity
• The chance to make a real difference

Applications close on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 11:30pm.

Pre-employment Checks

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough ‘Safety Screening’ processes apply.

To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards. All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment.