Managing Director

Cheshire West Recycling; England; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government-owned waste management company in the UK is seeking a Managing Director to lead its operations. This pivotal role involves providing strong leadership, driving innovation and sustainability in waste and recycling services. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in environmental services and the ability to foster a performance-driven culture. Responsibilities include developing new services and navigating change while maintaining compliance and performance standards. Strong partnership skills and political awareness are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in waste or environmental services.
• Ability to inspire and engage staff for high performance.
• Strong understanding of emerging policy and legislative developments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a successful team towards strategic priorities.
• Ensure the organisation navigates change confidently.
• Develop and implement innovative ideas and expand services.

Skills

Leadership in waste or environmental services

Inspiring and engaging people

Fostering a performance culture

Strong partnership skills

Political awareness

Job description

Cheshire West Recycling is a wholly owned company of Cheshire West and Chester Council, operating with cooperative principles and a clear social and environmental purpose. Since 2020, we have delivered high-quality waste and recycling services that keep neighbourhoods clean and safe while driving positive environmental change. Since our creation, we have established a track record of delivering excellent services, meeting our environmental obligations, driving efficiency, delivering value for money and achieving our social value ambitions, whilst securing the delivery of new services. We are now seeking a Managing Director who will lead the continued success of our business, and ensure we deliver our values: responsible, safe, trusted and innovative.

This role is pivotal in providing consistent, stable and measured leadership, ensuring the organisation navigates change with confidence whilst balancing sustainability ambitions with financial resilience. The company is committed to continuous improvement, developing and implementing innovative ideas, expanding services, attracting new customers and operating more commercially to achieve cost efficiencies, underpinned by robust compliance and performance management systems. You will lead a successful team, inspiring creativity and innovation, whilst aligning resources to deliver strategic priorities such as fleet upgrades, enhanced recycling services and new revenue streams.

We are looking for an individual with proven experience in waste or environmental services, whether through direct operational leadership or managing contracted services. You will bring the ability to inspire and engage people, foster a strong performance culture, and drive continuous improvement, whilst creating an environment where innovation thrives. Strong partnership skills and political awareness are essential, enabling you to work effectively with our Board and the Council, whilst navigating a complex stakeholder landscape. A sound understanding of emerging policy and legislative developments will be critical to ensuring compliance and positioning the organisation for future success.

Fundamentally, we are seeking someone with a passion for waste and recycling services who relishes the autonomy of working in an arms-length organisation, whilst delivering excellent public services and achieving our sustainability ambitions.

For an informal discussion about the role contact; Philip Emms (07590 225472) or Louise Bickley (07586 715788) at GatenbySanderson.