London Borough of Hackney
Service Manager – Environmental Operations
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About Hackney
Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.
Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.
Is it time to lead an essential service that never sleeps and set a national standard for excellence?
Role Overview
Hackney is seeking two exceptional, highly-motivated Service Managers to take the helm of our integrated Environmental Operations. These are two of four pivotal, high-impact roles. Whilst the generic job description covers all cleansing, waste collection, and evening services, each Service Manager will initially be assigned to a specific area (e.g., Cleansing, Waste & Recycling Collections, or Evening Operations). Successful candidates must be flexible and willing to rotate or be reassigned across all Environmental Operations areas as business needs dictate. These roles carry ultimate responsibility for ensuring the cleanliness of our streets, public spaces, and housing estates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as arranging the collection of waste and recycling from our residents and businesses, and other ancillary services.
If you thrive on challenge, possess a strategic vision, and are ready to lead a massive frontline team to achieve the “pinnacle” of service delivery, this is your opportunity to truly make your mark in London.
The Challenge: Lead a Critical 24/7 Service
Role
You will be accountable for a comprehensive suite of operations and a significant workforce, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement. This role offers incredible scope, covering everything from routine operations to critical, high-profile functions:
- Maintain ultimate accountability for up to 150 frontline staff and 6 Supervisors, directly managing the Assistant Service Manager and driving the strategic vision for the service unit.
- Take full operational responsibility for all street and estate cleansing, domestic and commercial refuse and recycling collection, markets management, and graffiti removal.
- You will manage and oversee the entire Gully Cleansing operation to proactively prevent flooding.
- Play a leading role in developing strategies for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, challenging existing practices, ensuring strict contractual compliance, and supporting waste enforcement action.
- Be the accountable figure for the rigorous management of all service-related complaints, investigating root causes, implementing sustainable corrective measures, and engaging directly with residents and local councillors on-site.
- Take rigorous responsibility for budget preparation, proactive financial management, and accurate forecasting for all services under your control.
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Are you ready for the commitment?
Environmental Operations requires dedicated management across a 24-hour cycle. You must be flexible and prepared to work day, evening, or night shifts as directed by the Operations Manager, and participate in a required weekend working rota.
What You Will Bring
- A proven, successful track record as a Service Manager within the Waste Industry or Environmental Sector, ideally within the public sector.
- Demonstrable ability to strategically plan, lead the vision and direction for large teams, and attract, develop, and motivate an operational workforce.
- Highly developed communication skills and a personal style that generates credibility and respect among colleagues, senior management, and stakeholders.
- A strong desire to succeed and position Hackney’s service as a national benchmark for excellence.
If you are a dynamic, assertive, and resilient leader ready to manage the complexity and scale of a vital 24/7 service, we encourage you to apply. Join us to shape an innovative future for our public realm, delivering exceptional environmental quality for every resident, business, and visitor.
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.
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We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.
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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.
Application Details
Closing date for applications: 23 July 2026 (22:59)
Interview date: 06 or 07 August 2026
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk.
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