Service Manager – Environmental Operations

East London

£30 – £35 per hour (Umbrella)
Full-Time | Shift-Based Role | Immediate Start Available | Agency

Austin Dean Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager – Environmental Operations to join a busy and high-performing local authority in East London.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proven operational leader to manage essential frontline environmental services and make a direct impact on the cleanliness, safety, and wellbeing of local communities.

The Role

As Service Manager, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of a broad range of environmental operations across the borough, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, safely, and in line with statutory and contractual requirements.

You will oversee a large operational workforce and work closely with senior stakeholders to drive service excellence, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage environmental operations across multiple service areas
• Oversee street cleansing and estate cleaning services
• Manage domestic and commercial refuse and recycling collections
• Coordinate waste management and commercial waste operations
• Ensure effective graffiti removal and public realm maintenance
• Manage gulley cleansing and flood prevention programmes
• Oversee market cleansing operations and winter maintenance activities
• Supervise waste transfer station operations
• Lead, motivate, and develop a workforce of up to 150 employees through Supervisors and Assistant Service Managers
• Monitor service performance against KPIs and implement improvement plans
• Manage operational budgets and resources effectively
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety legislation and service standards
• Respond to service issues and implement sustainable solutions
• Build positive relationships with residents, elected members, contractors, and stakeholders

Working Pattern

This is a 24-hour operational service and flexibility is essential.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Work across day, evening, and night shifts
• Participate in a weekend rota
• Provide management cover as required to maintain service continuity

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Significant management experience within environmental services, waste management, cleansing operations, highways, logistics, or a similar operational environment
• Proven ability to manage large teams and complex frontline services
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Experience managing performance, budgets, and operational delivery
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• Experience within Local Authority Environmental Services
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification
• Level 3 Qualification in Waste Management or a related discipline
• Knowledge of environmental legislation and service standards

Why Apply?

• Competitive hourly rate
• Opportunity to lead vital public services that directly impact local communities
• Work within a progressive and forward-thinking local authority
• Gain valuable senior management experience in a high-profile operational environment
• Ongoing support from Austin Dean Recruitment throughout your assignment

Apply Today

If you are an experienced operational leader looking for your next challenge within environmental services, we would love to hear from you.

Austin Dean Recruitment
Specialists in Local Government, Environmental Services, Social Care, Healthcare and Public Sector Recruitment.