Head of Service

Job description

Job Description

• West Suffolk Council
• Address: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU
• Salary: £79,518 - £86,227 per annum
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
• Contract: Temporary until 31 March 2028
• Reference: 0890

West Suffolk Council is an ambitious authority that has the health of its communities, businesses and local environment at its core, delivering high-quality services to help the area continue to thrive.

About the role

Working closely with the Cabinet member, councillors and as a proactive member of the Leadership team, you will provide professional operational and strategic leadership across the Waste and Street Scene Service including fleet management, refuse, recycling, street scene, commercial waste, business and technical teams.

You will play a crucial role in shaping and delivering high-quality services for our resident, including the bedding in of the national Better Recycling scheme, whilst leading and supporting your service as we navigate the Local Government Reorganisation journey. You will help make sure our strategic priorities are at the heart of all we do.

Experience in a senior leadership role, within a local government or public sector environment is important, as is the ability to be a strategic thinker who can translate vision into clear service direction and has a proven track record of driving innovation and positive outcomes. Working within a political environment together with the ability to engage effectively and forge strong relationships with colleagues, politicians, our communities, and key stakeholders and external partners in all sectors to make things happen is essential to the success of the role.

In return we can offer you an enthusiastic, dedicated and committed workforce to work alongside you to deliver our strategic priorities. You will enjoy a flexible and supportive working environment and personal development opportunities together with the benefits of an employee/employer contributory pension scheme, employee benefits package, additional leave purchase scheme and more.

If you are ready for the challenge and are a proactive leader who is solutions focused and delivers, we want to hear from you.

For more information

For an informal discussion and further information please contact Mark Christie, Director Operations, Leisure and Culture on 01638 719220 or email [email protected]

Job description

Person specification

Core values

How to apply

Please complete our online application process

Applications from candidates seeking a secondment opportunity are welcome.

Closing date: 30 August 2026.

Assessment centre: 10 September 2026.

West Suffolk Council has been rated in the top 10 district councils for climate action (Climate Scorecards 2023) and as a member of UK100 has demonstrated its commitment to a rapid transition to Net Zero with Clean Air in our communities. The council has declared a climate and biodiversity emergency and is committed to working towards net zero emissions by 2039.

About the Team

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To apply, please follow the application process detailed above.

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