Tower Hamlets is one of the fastest‑growing and most densely populated local authorities in the UK. More people than ever choose to live, work, visit and invest in our borough, and that growth places waste, recycling and street cleansing at the very heart of everyday life.
With over 325,000 residents, millions of visitors each year, and one of London’s most intense urban environments contained within a small geographic footprint, the way we manage waste, recycling and cleansing has a direct impact on public health, sustainability and pride in place.
Our borough includes global centres of business such as Canary Wharf and borders the City of London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the River Thames, making the quality of our public realm highly visible and critically important.
That makes leading Waste Services one of the most high‑profile and rewarding leadership roles in local government.
We are seeking a forward‑thinking, exceptional leader with significant experience in waste management to lead and transform frontline waste and cleansing services in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This is a rare opportunity to lead a passionate, highly visible frontline service, drive sustainability and innovation, and help shape the future of waste management in one of London’s most dynamic boroughs.
The service is delivered to commercial waste customers, over 120,000 households and a population of more than 325,000 operating with over 400 staff and a fleet of 102 vehicles.
As Head of Waste Services and Development you will provide leadership and expertise in managing the Council’s household and commercial waste management and cleansing operations. Your management and operational experience will shape how services are designed and delivered, ensuring high standards, regulatory compliance and continuous service improvement, while showcasing the Council’s commitment to an excellent public realm environment.
You will have full responsibility for planning, managing and developing the delivery and performance of Waste Operations for the Council (incorporating Recycling, Street Cleansing and all associated functions) in terms of service design, provision, budgets, resources and health and safety in line with Council procedures and all statutory regulations related to the service.
This role calls for a confident leader who can operate at pace in a complex operational environment, influence at senior level and build strong, trusting relationships with staff, trade unions, elected members, partners and residents. You will be an experienced and credible waste management professional, with a proven track record of leading large‑scale operational services and managing change successfully.
You will work with and be supported by established fleet, health and safety, HR, training and technical teams, allowing you to focus on leadership and strategic development, and excellent service-delivery. .
You will have detailed operational experience in managing waste related services with an excellent understanding of contemporary waste policy, legislation, practice and procedures relating to Waste Management, ideally in a local government setting. You will possess a relevant degree, and/or professional qualification in waste related management or at least 5 years relevant experience.
This is a good time to join Waste Services as we continue to invest in the service, receive positive feedback on cleansing standards and have excellent staff relations. We continue to use and develop digital business tools within the service, and this helps to inform and deliver further planned expansion of services.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a passionate team at the forefront of waste management innovation in one of London’s most vibrant boroughs. You’ll drive strategic initiatives, champion sustainability, and help shape Tower Hamlets’ future as an environmentally responsible community. We’re proud of our commitment to investing in people, offering tailored training and advancement opportunities, and fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture.
Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.
Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.
We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough.
The post is within Waste Services based at the Blackwall Transport Complex, 2 Silvocea Way, E14 0JJ.
Our Benefits
Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.
Flexible and agile working to support work–life balance.
Staff money-saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).
Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.
Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.
Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.
As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.
At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.
