Environmental Services Contract Manager

Overview

Environmental Services Contract Manager lead role providing client-side leadership and assurance for recycling, waste and wider environmental services delivered by Edenserv, a brand-new Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo). The role is central to ensuring strong commissioning, governance and performance management as Edenserv matures.

• Establish clear client-contractor governance arrangements in the initial months.
• Take ownership of performance and KPI scrutiny, providing confident, evidence-based advice to senior officers and members.
• Oversee contract and budget performance, ensure regulatory and environmental compliance, and drive continuous improvement in collaboration with Edenserv and regional partners.
• Shape policy and commissioning service improvements, embedding circular economy principles, waste reduction and innovation.
• Represent the Council at regional forums and deputise for the Assistant Director - Street Scene on environmental services matters when required.

You will be an experienced environmental or waste professional with detailed knowledge of local authority recycling and waste services. You should bring strong contract commissioning and management experience, and the ability to analyse performance and budgets and to provide effective challenge within complex delivery arrangements such as a LATCo. You should operate at senior level with excellent influencing and negotiation skills and be adept at building productive relationships with members, colleagues, contractors and partners.

You should be motivated by public value, environmental sustainability, carbon reduction and continuous improvement.

• A degree-level qualification (or equivalent vocational experience) in a waste or environmental operations-related field is required.
• A full driving licence is required (reasonable adjustments may be possible according to the Equality Act).
• Experience of LATCo environments, circular economy initiatives or formal contract or project management qualifications would be an advantage.

Street Scene is one of the Council's most visible and high-performing services. East Devon already ranks 6th nationally for recycling and 1st for residual waste, and this role offers a genuine opportunity to safeguard and build on that success at a pivotal moment for environmental services in the district.