Environmental Services Development Lead

Are you ready to drive operational transformation, pioneer digital innovation, and enhance environmental service delivery across Hackney?

Hackney is seeking an exceptional, results-driven, and forward-thinking Environmental Services Development Lead to drive the end-to-end operational transformation and continuous improvement of our frontline environmental services. Operating within a fast-paced environment facing significant financial pressures and ambitious municipal savings targets, this pivotal post leads wide-ranging operational efficiency initiatives, service optimisations, and income generation schemes across street cleansing, estate cleansing, waste, and recycling operations.

The challenge: Operational transformation, digitisation & efficiency

You will hold lead responsibility and accountability across three core areas of operational development and transformation:

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead operational development and drive meaningful borough-wide change. You will:

Drive the end-to-end operational transformation and modernisation of front-line environmental services across the London Borough of Hackney.

Drive innovation & digitisation: Lead high-impact projects in process automation, digital scheduling, and smart routing (such as Whitespace) to transition legacy operations into efficient, modern workflows.

Shape financial sustainability: Play a vital role in meeting municipal savings targets and driving income generation schemes through operational redesign and commercial optimisation.

Empower frontline services: Directly manage and mentor staff while collaborating across Environmental Services and with key stakeholders to deliver sustainable, high-performing waste, recycling, and cleansing services.

What You Will Bring

Operational transformation leadership: Proven track record of designing and executing complex service delivery transformations and efficiency schemes within local government or public sector environmental services.

Digital & technology implementation: Significant experience managing large-scale digitisation projects, embedding mobile workforce tech, self-service integrations, and operational routing platforms (such as Whitespace).

Financial & commercial acumen: Strong background in supporting savings targets, identifying income generation opportunities, and managing budgets.

Change management & industrial relations: Demonstrated ability to lead frontline teams through cultural/operational shifts, consult effectively with Trade Unions and other stakeholders, and manage sensitive workforce adjustments.

Stakeholder & project governance: Strong project management expertise with excellent report-writing and communication skills to engage a variety of audiences including members, frontline workforce, officers, and external partners.

Are you ready to make your mark?

We are looking for a dynamic, resilient, and proactive leader who wants to make a lasting impact on Hackney’s environmental services and local communities. You will be instrumental in modernising frontline operations and building high-performing, cost-conscious, and digitally empowered teams.

If you want to work in an environment where your leadership delivers operational excellence and supports the Council’s corporate objectives, we encourage you to apply. Join us to shape a sustainable, high-performing future for Hackney.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications : 20 October 2026 (22.59)

Interview date: W/c 29 October 2026

Please note – we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high number of applications.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.