Group Manager – Waste Services

South Gloucestershire Council is currently reviewing how it manages its waste services and delivery model, and you will be at the forefront of this transition and fundamental in the decision making and development of a new waste service model from 2025. This progressive change will incorporate new infrastructure and ways of working, to ensure that South Gloucestershire waste services continue to be amongst the best in the country and meet future changes in the industry.

Your prime focus will be to lead a successful and motivated Waste Management Team to deliver excellent waste provision and ensure that a high quality, cost-effective service is sustained our local residents. Waste services in South Gloucestershire are a leading unitary authority with 59.9% recycling rate in 2021-22, kerbside sort collection with weekly recycling and fortnightly residual and garden waste provision, alongside a soft plastic trial which is market leading. Your team will lead on the behavioural change of residents to minimise waste to landfill and increase recycling and improve carbon efficiency to meet 2030 targets and implement waste related initiatives.

Implementing national and regional waste strategies and local priorities, you will facilitate significant changes in the disposal of waste with the continued aim of ‘improving place’. South Gloucestershire Council manages the end destination waste contracts for residual waste on behalf of the West of England Authorities, chairs the group and oversees the contractual relationships and you will take a lead on this for the Council.

• You will develop, communicate, and have overall control of specific strategic, tactical and operational plans and maintain a highly competent work environment through active leadership, promoting professional standards by developing outcome-focused team.
• In the role you will be responsible for policy and strategy to ensure the delivery of high quality, value for money and consistent services to customers. These will be in line with agreed service levels and standards and meeting budgets, plans and targets, meeting statutory requirements.
• Implementing and co-ordinating large complex projects, you will manage multi-disciplinary teams, to ensure delivery standards and enable continuous improvements in the service area in line with legislation and best practice.
• As a strategic decision-maker, you will have financial accountability for the waste service, leading on budgets and managing the business within financial regulations and business requirements to ensure value for money is maximised.
• You will prepare and present operational reports and information to provide advice and recommendations on specific, complex issues and enable senior management and elected members to make informed decisions.
• In the role you will analyse areas where measures are to be put in place to manage risks and ensure that the service is compliant with all relevant legislation and statutory requirements and implement required business or service change.

• You must hold a relevant degree or an equivalent level academic qualification or equivalent experience knowledge and skills in the waste industry.
• It is essential that you have substantial managerial and senior leadership experience, persuasive and engaging with the ability to lead, co-ordinate and plan a service of a significant size.
• We require you to have expert knowledge of the relevant legislation and national drivers relating to waste in order to inform policy development and to offer technical expertise to enable change management.
• It is key that you are an effective and balance decision maker and have extensive experience and skills in negotiation with third parties, influencing and proactive communication with stakeholders with a strategic marketing ability.
• You will demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the wider impact of the role and knowledge of the Council’s constitution, processes, and procedures with an understanding of political sensitivities.
• A personal and professional credibility that commands confidence and respect and provides for effective engagement, able to influence colleagues and partners negotiations.
• Proven experience of contractual management of in-house or external service delivery within the waste and recycling industry
• Ability to assess and decide on priorities where savings and efficiencies are expected.

• We know our team work best when they have balance in their lives, and we offer genuine flexibility to help them achieve that work/life balance.
• We value our staff as individuals, investing in their careers and we are recognised for the quality, breadth and depth of our training and development offer, which helps make the greatest long-term difference in work.

Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a realdifference to the lives of people who live, work, and learnhere.

• We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of
• We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life
• We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.

We’re making a difference, be part of it!