StreetScene Deputy Operations Manager

East Devon District Council; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Devon and Torbay is seeking an experienced leader for their StreetScene services. This role involves managing a team responsible for maintaining public spaces, driving improvements, and supporting community events. Applicants should have a strong operational background and relevant leadership qualifications. A full driving license is required. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact on local communities in stunning natural surroundings.

Benefits

Health and wellbeing benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Continuous learning and development

Qualifications

• Experience in high-risk operational environments, ideally within environmental or public realm services.
• Ability to lead and motivate multifunctional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Area Officers to ensure high service standards.
• Manage budgets, resources, and operational planning.
• Respond to out-of-hours emergencies and drive improvement projects.

Skills

Leadership

Operational Management

Customer Service

Budget Management

Resource Planning

Crisis Management

Education

NVQ Level 4 in Leadership/Management

Relevant Level 3 qualification

Job description

About the role

Ifyou’resomeone who thrives on variety, loves beingout and about, and takes real pride in seeing the impact of your work across a whole district, this could be your next big move.

We’relooking for an experienced, hands‑on leader to help shape the future of East Devon’s StreetScene services. Youwill managea team of Area Officers who look after everything from parks and grounds maintenance to street cleansing, coastal defences, toilets across the district, and support for some ofEast Devon’smost beloved community events.

Every day isdifferent,andyou’ll be expected to split your time across the Exmouth and Manstone depots. One momentyou’replanning improvements or driving cultural change, the nextyou’retroubleshooting an urgent issue, supporting a team member, liaising with a community group, or stepping in to ensure smooth operations.You’llbe at the heart of a service that is highly visible, hugely valued, and central to how East Devon looks and feels.

This role is perfect for someone with a strong operational background—ideally across StreetScene functions—who enjoys leading multifunctional teams, driving performance, and fostering a positive, forward‑thinking culture.You’ll also be comfortable with budgets, health and safety, resource planning, and occasionally rolling up your sleeves when the district needs you.

With stunning natural surroundings, a supportive and varied team, and the chance to deliver meaningful improvements for local communities, this is a job where you can genuinely see the difference you make.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing our Area Officers to ensure a proactive, resilient and forward‑planning team
• Raising and maintaining high service standards across a wide range of public spaces
• Supporting cultural change and embedding strong performance management
• Managing budgets, resources, procurement and operational planning
• Deputising for the StreetScene Operations Manager and responding to out‑of‑hours emergencies
• Driving improvement projects and championing continuous learning

About you

You’ll bring an NVQ Level 4 in Leadership/Management (or equivalent experience), plus a relevant Level 3 qualification. Experience in high‑risk operational environments, ideally within environmental or public realm services, is essential. You’ll be a confident leader—organised, calm under pressure, customer‑focused, and ready to take ownership. A full driving licence and flexibility to respond to the unexpected are must‑haves.

About us

StreetScene offers the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on how East Devon looks and feels. The service works closely with colleagues and a wide range of community groups—including Green Flag, Britain in Bloom and Blue Flag partners—to deliver impressive outcomes with limited resources, while supporting major local events such as Sidmouth Folk Week and Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels. Our broad knowledge of the district places us in a unique position to assist teams across the Council, often acting as the trusted first point of contact when issues arise. As one of the most publicly visible services, operating seven days a week, StreetScene provides both challenge and a strong sense of purpose. It is a role where the contribution you make is highly valued by both the Council and the community.

You will be part of a Gold Investors in People (IiP) organisation which works together with local people to create great value services and an outstanding community, economy and environment in which people want to live, work, visit and enjoy now, and for future generations. And with our wide range of health and wellbeing benefits, our highly flexible and collaborative hybrid Worksmart working arrangements as well as our commitment to continuous learning and development, you can be confident of joining a dedicated community of colleagues who are Happy, Healthy and Here.

For more about working for East Devon District Council, visit https://eastdevon.gov.uk/careers/working-at-eddc/

For an informal discussion, please contact Julia Woodbridge, StreetScene Operations Manager on 07709 720714 or email [e-mail]

Closing date: 17 December 2025.

Interviews will be held during week commencing 12 January 2026.

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.