Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Lead dynamic frontline services, drive environmental sustainability, and make a direct impact on the vibrant communities of Hackney! As Assistant Director – Environmental Operations and Behaviour Change, you will shape the future of urban environmental services by leading high-profile frontline teams and pioneering innovative, community-focused solutions. This pivotal senior leadership role (SM2 tier) oversees a frontline operational engine of up to 650 dedicated staff, managing a gross revenue budget of £45.7m and delivering high-impact services that affect every resident and business in Hackney.

Your remit includes Refuse & Recycling, Street Cleansing, Commercial Services, Fleet Management, and Behaviour Change campaigns. You will be central to making Hackney a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable borough through strategic leadership and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for 24/7 environmental operations, ensuring exceptional service delivery across street cleansing, waste collection, estate cleansing, and commercial waste.
- Drive behaviour change through data-led strategies to engage residents and businesses, increasing recycling rates, reducing waste, and fostering long-term environmental responsibility.
- Expand commercial services to generate revenue, optimize resource management, and lead digital transformation in route planning and customer engagement.
- Direct asset and fleet management operations at Millfields Depot and Waste Transfer Station, maintaining full compliance with safety, statutory regulations, and Operator’s Licence standards.
- Inspire and manage a multi-tiered frontline workforce, foster positive union relations, and collaborate with strategic partners such as the North London Waste Authority.

Why Join Us?
Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant, diverse, and forward-thinking boroughs. This is a rare opportunity to lead dedicated teams, innovate frontline public services, and champion real environmental change at a transformative scale. Join Hackney Council’s Senior Leadership Team and be at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future.

Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience managing complex, multi-million-pound environmental or logistics operations.
- Strong technical expertise in fleet operator licensing, high-risk operational environments (Safe Systems of Work), and statutory waste legislation.
- Demonstrated ability to manage large frontline workforces, navigate union relations, and lead through organisational change.
- Outstanding communication skills, political acumen, and a commitment to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion.

About You
- Ambitious and visionary leader passionate about environmental sustainability and community impact.
- Skilled in strategic thinking and operational delivery within a public sector context.
- Committed to fostering a positive workplace culture aligned with Hackney Council’s "PROUD" values: Purpose and Respect, Ownership, Unity, and Diversity.
- Able to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners to achieve shared goals.

Qualifications
Relevant senior leadership experience and technical knowledge are essential. Specific formal qualifications are not stipulated but a strong background in environmental services, waste management, or related fields is expected.

Additional Information
This post is subject to a Standard DBS check. Hackney Council is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, particularly from underrepresented groups. Flexible working arrangements are supported.