Interim Head Of Service & Street Scene & Leisure

Service Care Solutions; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional service management provider in Thurrock is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Service for Street Scene & Leisure to lead various environmental services. The role involves strategic leadership in waste management, managing financial and procurement operations, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in local authority settings, with a focus on service transformation and staff development. This interim role is crucial for maintaining high standards and operational excellence across key areas.

Qualifications

• Experience in waste management or environmental services, ideally within a local authority.
• Proven expertise in strategic leadership and service transformation.
• Strong background in financial and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction across Waste Management and Clean & Green services.
• Control revenue and capital budgets, ensuring compliance with financial procedures.
• Manage procurement and all contracts for Waste Management services.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and environmental standards.
• Recruit, develop, and motivate a high-performing workforce.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Financial Management

Contract Management

People Management

Performance Analysis

Job description

Contract: 6 Months (Interim)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate:£76.71 PAYE per hour |£97.88 LTD per hour (Inc Holiday)

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Interim Head of Service - Street Scene & Leisure to provide strategic leadership and operational management across Waste Management and Clean & Green services. This is a senior interim role with responsibility for high‑profile frontline services that directly impact residents, businesses and stakeholders across the Borough.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Service Delivery

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for Waste Management Services, including domestic and commercial collections, waste disposal contracts and the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC).
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for Clean & Green Services, including burials, street cleansing, arboriculture, parks and open spaces, and general grounds maintenance.
• Be accountable for the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, procedures and strategies in line with legislative requirements and corporate objectives.
• Undertake effective day‑to‑day management of Waste and Clean & Green Management Teams, ensuring high performance and service excellence.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Control revenue and capital budgets, ensuring compliance with Council financial procedures.
• Prepare annual budgets, capital bids and funding proposals to support service sustainability and development.
• Manage and develop service income streams, including HWRC, commercial waste collections, bulky waste, internal customers and innovative new initiatives.
• Secure value for money, commercial income generation and high levels of public satisfaction.

Procurement & Contract Management

• Take lead responsibility for the procurement and management of all contracts relating to Waste Management and Clean & Green services.
• Ensure legal compliance as a Waste Disposal Authority and prompt resolution of any contract issues or non‑compliance.
• Explore and develop opportunities for joint contractual arrangements with strategic partners across public and private sectors.

Performance, Quality & Compliance

• Analyse service performance data and implement improvements to policies, plans and practices.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, Environmental Permitting Regulations and Council policies.
• Ensure services operate in accordance with ISO9001:2015 and OHSAS 18001 standards.
• Oversee the effective management of service complaints.

Leadership, People & Culture

• Recruit, lead, develop and motivate staff to create a high‑performing and skilled workforce.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all services.
• Create an organisational culture that is proactive, corporate and innovative.
• Support staff development through performance reviews, one‑to‑ones and talent management.

Partnerships & Governance

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Environment, Highways, Counter Fraud and other services to improve customer experience.
• Develop effective consultation and communication arrangements with residents, Members and stakeholders.
• Liaise with Members through meetings, walkabouts and Member enquiries.
• Prepare and present clear written and verbal reports to Members, senior leadership and external bodies.
• Deputise for the Chief Officer at Cabinet, Scrutiny, Senior Leadership Team and external meetings as required.
• Contribute to multi‑disciplinary project teams and whole‑service partnership strategies.

Additional Requirements

• Flexible and agile approach to working hours and location, including remote and home working where required.
• Compliance with data protection legislation and information security policies.
• Commitment to Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
• Completion and maintenance of mandatory training in line with legislation.
• Undertake additional duties consistent with the seniority and nature of the role as required.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be an experienced senior leader with a strong background in waste management, environmental services or street scene operations, ideally within a local authority setting. You will bring proven expertise in strategic leadership, financial management, contract management and service transformation within complex, high‑demand environments.

For more details on this position and to apply, contact Prakash by emailing (url removed) or call (phone number removed).