Head of Waste Operations

About The Role
Head of Waste Operations
Permanent, Full Time

Up to £90,663 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 31st December :59pm)

Interview Date: 22nd January 2026

The Role
This is a major leadership opportunity within one of the UK's largest and most complex Waste Disposal Authorities. Managing services that handle over 650,000 tonnes of waste each year across Essex, you will oversee operations spanning 21 Recycling Centres, 4 Transfer Stations, and multiple closed landfill sites, supported by a workforce of over 200 operational staff.

The role carries responsibility for multi-million-pound contracts worth over £1 billion in total, covering residual waste treatment, recycling, reuse and haulage. It demands strategic oversight of complex commercial arrangements, performance management, and compliance across a high-risk, regulated environment.

You'll work as part of a collaborative leadership team— driving efficiency, innovation and environmental excellence — supporting Essex's ambitions to deliver a great service for residents and support a low carbon, circular economy.

Interviews for shortlisted applicants are expected to take place in person at County Hall, Chelmsford on Thursday, 22nd January 2026.

To read more about our business area, please visit Climate, Environment and Customer Services

The Opportunity
Work as part of a collaborative senior management team. Identify and implement optimal changes to waste functions to ensure improved environmental benefits and cost efficiencies, whilst still protecting local services.

You can expect to be accountable for the following

• Operational management – safe and efficient day-to-day management of all recycling centres, transfer stations and haulage fleet
• Health and Safety - manage all health and safety issues in relation to the WDA services, always ensuring safety and compliance for officers, contractors and members of the public.
• Financial control – provide robust and financial management of waste budgets (circa. £90m per annum), savings targets and forecasting requirements.
• Major procurements – provide support and expertise to existing procurements, advising on waste management practices and operational excellence.
• Closed landfill sites - ensure the closed landfill sites are managed in accordance with regulatory requirements and maximise any associated revenue.
• Contract management – work closely with the central contract management function to ensure that major contractors are compliant and delivering excellent levels of service.
• Line management – direct line management of 7 staff and overall responsibility for all waste operations staff. Ensuring at all times that these staff understand the priorities, objectives and policies of ECC's WDA.
• Stakeholder Management – work closely with the 12 Waste Collection Authorities across Essex providing effective waste disposal and treatment directions.
• Project Management - undertake any assigned projects, ensuring that agreed outcomes are delivered on time, within budget and to the expected standard.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• A Chartered Waste Manager (MCIWM) with Extensive and demonstrable experience of senior waste service leadership
• Sound knowledge of current and emerging waste and resources policy and legislation
• In depth understanding of operational techniques and practices including recycling centre operations, waste transfer operations, waste treatment and disposal methods and experience managing complex waste related contracts
• Considerable experience of managing multi-million-pound budgets effectively and forecasting future budget requirements
• Experience in managing staff, with a commitment to staff development.
• Ability to communicate effectively to different audiences including members, directors, waste officers, operatives and the public
• Highly skilled in ensuring compliance with all environmental permitting and health and safety guidance and legislation relevant to the management of local authority collected wastes or equivalent
• Highly skilled in effectively managing waste contractors, ensuring value for money and delivering to time-scales

Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025
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Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
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If you have queries or require anything further, please email

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