Head of Environment

Job description

**Department: Environment and Resident Services**

**Terms and Conditions: 37 hours per week, Permanent**

**Lead the Green Transformation of a Thriving Northern Hub. Become our next Head of Environment.**

**Are you a passionate environmental leader ready to make a real, visible impact?**

Here in Blackburn with Darwen, we're on an ambitious journey. We are a borough proud of our industrial heritage, our diverse and vibrant communities, and our stunning natural landscapes, from the West Pennine Moors to our award-winning parks.

Now, we are looking for a forward-thinking Head of Environment to help us build a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future for everyone who lives and works here.

This isn't just a management role; it's a chance to shape the environmental legacy of an entire borough. You will be the driving force behind our environmental services, leading dedicated teams and championing innovative solutions that our residents will see and feel every single day. If you want a role where your strategic vision directly translates into positive, on-the-ground change, we want to hear from you.

**What You'll Do: Your Vision in Action**

As our Head of Environment, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse and critical portfolio. You’ll be empowered to:

- **Inspire and Lead**: Motivate and manage our fantastic teams responsible for everything from waste management and recycling to street cleansing, fleet services, and maintaining our beautiful parks and green spaces.
- **Drive Sustainability**: Be our corporate champion for environmental sustainability, embedding green principles into everything we do and leading our response to the climate emergency.
- **Innovate and Improve**: Reimagine our services for the future. You’ll explore new technologies, commercial opportunities, and smarter ways of working to deliver services that are both high-quality and cost-effective.
- **Engage with Our Community**: Connect with residents, community groups, and local businesses, working collaboratively to create a cleaner, greener borough that everyone can be proud of.
- **Shape the Place**: Play a key role in the council’s leadership team, ensuring that environmental excellence is at the heart of our major regeneration projects and our long-term vision for Blackburn with Darwen.

**What You'll Bring: The Skills to Succeed**

We're looking for an influential leader with a passion for public service and the environment. You will likely have:

- Proven experience in a senior leadership role within a complex environmental or operational service area (public or private sector).
- A strong track record of managing large, diverse teams and significant budgets effectively.
- The ability to think commercially and strategically, identifying new opportunities for income generation and efficiency.
- A collaborative and engaging leadership style, with the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, elected members, and the community.
- A genuine passion for sustainability and a deep understanding of the environmental challenges and opportunities facing a modern, diverse borough.
- Resilience, creativity, and the independent judgement needed to make critical decisions that deliver results.

**Why Choose Blackburn with Darwen?**

We believe you do your best work when you feel valued and supported. Here, you’ll find:

- **A Place of Ambition**: You'll be joining a forward-thinking council with a clear vision and a track record of securing investment and delivering major projects.
- **Real Impact**: See the tangible results of your leadership in the communities you serve. This is a role where you truly make a difference.
- **A Welcoming Culture**: We are proud of our friendly and collaborative work environment. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
- **Fantastic Location**: With a bustling town centre, stunning countryside on your doorstep, and excellent transport links to Manchester, the Lake District, and beyond, Blackburn with Darwen offers an unbeatable quality of life.
- **Excellent Benefits**: We offer a competitive salary, a generous local government pension scheme, flexible working options, and a commitment to your ongoing professional development.

**Ready to Lead the Change?**

**Job details**:
Job reference

REQ04358

Date posted

03/10/2025

Application closing date

26/10/2025

Location

Blackburn with Darwen

Salary

Grade M, SCP 60-64, £74,426 - £79,766 per annum

Package

Blank

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Job category/type

Council