Head of Waste Services & Contracts

Omega; West Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

34 days annual leave + buy 10 days

Flexible and hybrid working

Car leasing scheme

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Omega is seeking a Head of Waste Services & Contracts to lead strategic development and operational performance across waste collection, fleet services, and environmental contracts within a major local authority in West Yorkshire. The role focuses on delivering transformational change, ensuring statutory compliance, and driving efficiency for residents and businesses.

Reporting to the Director of Environment, you will shape future service models, oversee budgets, and manage partnerships

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within waste, environmental contracts, or operational services.
• Experience managing small and diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of local authority service delivery environments.
• Significant budgetary, commercial, and financial management expertise.
• Experience managing major service contracts and partnerships.
• Knowledge of waste legislation, environmental compliance, and health & safety requirements.
• Proven track record of service improvement and organisational change.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Waste and Environmental Services.
• Lead the delivery of statutory waste collection and environmental service contract functions.
• Develop and implement long-term service strategies aligned to corporate priorities.
• Lead service transformation, modernisation, and improvement programmes in waste.
• Oversee significant revenue budgets and service level contractual agreements.
• Manage complex contractor and partnership arrangements, including Waste PFI and outsourced service contracts.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, transport, health & safety legislation.
• Lead business planning, performance management, and service redesign initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with Members, Executive Leadership Teams, regulators, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector experience

Budget management

Contract management

Job description

• Job Title: Head of Waste Services & Contracts
• Strategic Waste Management Position
• Strategic Leadership Opportunity | Local Authority | Yorkshire Region
• Job Location: West Yorkshire (Some Hybrid Working)
• Contract: Permanent

The Opportunity – Head of Waste Services & Contracts

A major local authority is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Waste Strategy and Waste Contracts to provide strategic contracts and compliance leadership across one of the region's largest operational service portfolios. This is a high-profile leadership role within a complex public sector environment, responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable frontline services that directly impact residents, communities, and businesses. Reporting to the Director of Environment, you will lead the strategic development and operational performance of waste collection, waste fleet services and commercial contracts and environmental service delivery.

You will play a key role in shaping future waste management and collection service models, delivering transformational change, driving efficiency, and ensuring statutory obligations are met whilst maintaining a relentless focus on customer outcomes.

Key Responsibilities - Head of Waste Services & Contracts

• Provide strategic leadership across Waste and Environmental Services
• Lead the delivery of statutory waste collection and environmental service contract functions
• Develop and implement long-term service strategies aligned to corporate priorities
• Lead service transformation, modernisation, and improvement programmes in waste
• Oversee significant revenue budgets and waste service level contractual agreements
• Manage complex contractor and partnership arrangements, including Waste PFI and outsourced service contracts
• Ensure compliance with relevant environmental, transport, health & safety, and operator licensing legislation
• Lead business planning, performance management, and service redesign initiatives
• Build strong relationships with Members, Executive Leadership Teams, regulators, and external stakeholders

About You - Head of Strategic Waste Services & Contracts

• We are looking for an inspirational leader with experience operating at a senior level within either local government, environmental services, waste management, transport, logistics or fleet operations
• You will bring strategic capability alongside the ability to engage effectively with operational teams and political stakeholders

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates who have worked within:

• Local Authorities
• Environmental Services Organisations
• Facilities Management
• Utilities, Transport & Logistics Operations
• Infrastructure Services
• Outsourced Public Service Providers

Essential Experience: Head of Strategic Waste Contracts Services

• Senior leadership experience within waste, environmental contracts, or operational services
• Experience managing small and diverse teams
• Strong understanding of local authority service delivery environments
• Significant budgetary, commercial, and financial management expertise
• Experience managing major service contracts and partnerships
• Knowledge of waste legislation, environmental compliance, and health & safety requirements
• Proven track record of service improvement and organisational change
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans

Highly Desirable: Head of Waste Contracts & Services

• Experience facilitating municipal fleet operations
• Understanding of recycling, resource recovery, and circular economy principles
• Experience working within politically sensitive environments

Why Apply? Head of Waste Contracts &Services

• Highly Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous Annual leave 34 days plus bank holidays with purchase an additional 10-day leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements including Flexi-time scheme
• Car leasing Scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave
• Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle-to-work options
• Discount and reward schemes for shopping, leisure
• Discounted travel cards
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership and development support

This is a rare opportunity to lead an essential frontline waste contract management service that touches every household and business within a large local authority area. The successful candidate will have the platform to influence strategic policy, modernise service delivery, shape future environmental outcomes and drive transformational change across waste and related services.

Contact Mike Butler on 01132123519 or email [e-mail]

This position would suit an experienced: Head of Waste Services, Head of Environmental Services, Waste Operations Manager, Waste Contract Manager, Head of Waste Services, Municipal Services Manager, Environmental Services Manager, Regional Waste Operations Operations Director (Waste), Strategic Service Manager, Assistant Director Environment, Senior Waste Manager