Managing Director - Waste & Resource Management

55 Exec Search; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity opportunity

Company car/allowance

Job summary

55 Exec Search is exclusively retained to appoint a commercially driven executive to lead a founder-led business within the UK Waste & Resource Management sector. Hybrid working in the UK with strong growth potential across the circular economy.

You will own strategic direction, scale nationwide, build leadership, and drive value through acquisitions and value creation, with long-term equity opportunities and an executive bonus. This is a high-impact, legacy role for a proven leader.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within the UK Waste Management, Resource Management, Recycling or Environmental Services sector and must understand waste collections, account management, compliance, recycling infrastructure & treatment routes.
• A proven track record of scaling a business through sustained commercial growth.
• Experience preparing a business for investment, acquisition or successful exit.
• Strong commercial and financial leadership, including responsibility for EBITDA growth.
• Experience building high-performing leadership teams and working alongside founders or Boards.

Responsibilities

• Delivering sustainable revenue growth and improving EBITDA.
• Building, developing and inspiring a high-performing leadership team.
• Scaling the organisation while preserving the entrepreneurial culture that has underpinned its success.
• Winning larger strategic and multi-site customer relationships.
• Identifying and integrating acquisitions that support long‑term growth.
• Working closely with the Board and founders to maximise shareholder value and prepare the business for its next stage of evolution.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

UK Waste Management sector knowledge

Acquisitions experience

EBITDA growth leadership

Strategy execution

Job description

UK | Hybrid | £120,000–£150,000 + Executive Bonus + Equity Opportunity

55 Exec Search has been exclusively retained to appoint a commercially driven executive to lead a highly respected, founder-led business within the UK Waste & Resource Management sector.

This isn't a turnaround.

It isn't about maintaining an established organisation.

It's an opportunity to build on strong foundations, accelerate growth and help shape one of the UK's most progressive businesses operating within the circular economy.

The founders have built an excellent reputation, a loyal customer base and a differentiated market position.

They are now looking for an exceptional leader to take the business into its next chapter, professionalising operations, scaling nationally, strengthening the leadership team, delivering strategic acquisitions and maximising enterprise value ahead of a future investment or exit.

For the right individual, this is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

You’ll have full strategic and operational responsibility for the business, including:

• Delivering sustainable revenue growth and improving EBITDA.
• Building, developing and inspiring a high-performing leadership team.
• Scaling the organisation while preserving the entrepreneurial culture that has underpinned its success.
• Winning larger strategic and multi-site customer relationships.
• Identifying and integrating acquisitions that support long‑term growth.
• Working closely with the Board and founders to maximise shareholder value and prepare the business for its next stage of evolution.

Who We're Looking For:

This is a highly specialised executive appointment.

To be considered, you'll be able to demonstrate:

• Senior leadership experience within the UK Waste Management, Resource Management, Recycling or Environmental Services sector and must understand waste collections, account management, compliance, recycling infrastructure & treatment routes
• A proven track record of scaling a business through sustained commercial growth.
• Experience preparing a business for investment, acquisition or successful exit.
• Strong commercial and financial leadership, including responsibility for EBITDA growth.
• Experience building high‑performing leadership teams and working alongside founders or Boards.

We'd be particularly interested in speaking with leaders who have:

• Delivered acquisitions as part of a wider growth strategy.
• Successfully integrated acquired businesses.
• Worked within private equity or investor‑backed organisations.
• Led technology‑enabled or data‑driven service businesses.
• A genuine passion for sustainability, innovation and the circular economy.

Why This Opportunity?

Very few leadership roles offer the chance to genuinely shape the future value of a business.

This one does.

You’ll have the autonomy to influence strategy, lead transformational growth and build an organisation recognised for innovation, customer excellence and long‑term value creation.

Package

• Long-Term Equity Opportunity
• Company Car / Allowance

Confidential Executive Search

This appointment is being managed exclusively by 55 Exec Search.

Further information will be shared with candidates whose experience closely aligns with the requirements of the role following an initial confidential discussion.