Head of Environmental Services - Job Description and Employee Specification

Sep 14, 2026

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Head of Environmental Services role description detailing responsibilities and required competencies for leading environmental policy and contract management on behalf of council clients. The position advises on procurement and delivery of waste, recycling, street cleansing, and grounds maintenance, partnering with internal teams and service providers to drive transformation and improvement. It emphasizes monitoring performance and risks, providing strategic influence, managing budgets, leading stakeholders, and supporting operational and cultural change while ensuring safe, compliant, and resilient service delivery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Key Responsibilities

Main purpose of this role

Main requirements

Essential qualifications and skills

Desirable requirements

General accountabilities

Special conditions

Job Description and Employee Specification We deliver great services to local communities on behalf of their local council. We are owned by the councilsand not external private shareholders, so we know our priorities and have strong values. At Publica we put people and our communities at the centre of everything. | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Job title: | Head of Environmental Services | Location: | Cirencester, Coleford, Witney and Hybrid | | Department: | Contracts | Service: | | | Reports to: | Assistant Director – Commercial Growth | Working Hours: | 37 hours per week | | Job group: | Business Manager | Peer group: | PG-T4 | | Business World Post number: | 880001026 | Direct Reports (if applicable): | Yes | | FTE Salary pro rata: | Up to £60,000 per annum | Contract type | Permanent | | Main purpose of this specific role: | • Responsible for environmental policy and contract management, acting asthe councils lead advisor and intelligent customer and commissioner
• Provide advice and guidance to councils on the procurement and delivery of environmental services including waste, recycling, street cleansing and grounds maintenance
• Work in partnership with colleagues, councils and service providers, including Ubico (The councils’ service provider), to support the delivery of service transformation and improvements
• Monitor the performance and associated risks associated with environmental services | | | | | | | --- | --- | | Main requirements of this specific role: | • Experience of large complex environmental service contracts
• Experience of working in a political diverse environment
• Experience of implementing change, transformation, and monitoring service performance and delivering improvements | | Essential qualifications/skills experience specific to this role: | ● Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant profession
● Substantial (5 years plus) post qualification experience in a relevant field / specialism
● Significant experience managing services during periods of organisational change
● Experience of collaborative working to enable delivery of Councils waste and environmental ambitions.
● Ability to inspire and successfully motivate others towards shared objectives
● Experience in preparing, negotiating and managing budgets
● Ability to translate and influence strategic direction
● Effectively manage knowledge and information across Publica and its clients
● Ability to demonstrate a dynamic and proactive approach to problems and challenges
● Be results driven as measured by your outcomes
● Operate with integrity and build trust amongst others
● Ability to address tactical issues in the short-term while maintaining strategic vision for the long-term
● Communicates effectively in providing feedback and actively invites feedback from others | | Desirable Requirements Qualifications, Skills and Abilities: | ● Recognised sector relevant management qualification
● Significant experience working with internal/external customers, partners/clients and elected members
● Knowledge, understanding and experience of project management
● Demonstrable commercial and political acumen
● Ability to interpret relevant complex regulation, legislation and guidance | | | ● Skilled at producing in-depth well supported reports
● Experience of working in a political environment
● Demonstrable sector relevant management experience | | --- | --- | | Key
Responsibilities: | ● Manage multiple stakeholders and clients, attending relevant meetings in order to influence and negotiate
● Make sound recommendations to improve effectiveness, efficiency and service delivery
● Design, develop and implement plans that translate the Publica business objectives into working practices for excellent customer service delivery for the partner Councils.
● Understand the business requirements, perspective of users' needs and resource requireme

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the Head of Environmental Services role?

To lead environmental policy and manage contracts, advising councils on procurement and delivery of environmental services such as waste, recycling, street cleansing, and grounds maintenance, while monitoring performance and associated risks.

What qualifications and experience are essential for this role?

A relevant degree or equivalent, 5+ years post-qualification experience, experience managing services during organisational change, and collaborative experience enabling councils’ waste and environmental ambitions.

What key responsibilities does the role include day to day?

Managing multiple stakeholders, influencing and negotiating, translating business objectives into customer service delivery practices, monitoring projects and performance, and leading cultural change through coaching and role modelling.

Sep 14, 2026

Upload by Fahsai