Head of Waste Strategy

at  City of Westminster Council

ABOUT US:

The Environment & Communities Directorate in Westminster City Council is a world of extraordinary stories. Where dedicated people like Grace are using their skills and passion to progress environmental action in the heart of London.
It was at university where Grace first started campaigning for improved recycling facilities, water refill stations, and other eco-friendly initiatives. When she saw the real difference people could make when they came together, she knew she wanted to dedicate her career to community action for the planet.
When she joined us as Principal Engagement Officer, Climate Emergency, she quickly established herself as a passionate advocate for community outreach, engaging various stakeholders across Westminster in the social causes, impacts and solutions to climate change, air pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Grace became a driving force behind our first Citizens’ Climate Assembly, which took place across two weekends in the summer of 2023. Fifty residents were chosen at random from across our diverse communities to come together, learn about the climate emergency, and deliberate how we overcome the barriers to becoming a net zero city by 2040. The assembly produced several recommendations which have informed the evolution of our Climate Emergency Action Plan. Due to the success of this initiative, we’re holding more assemblies to continue community involvement in local decision-making.
To see the work of the Westminster Citizens’ Climate Assembly, click here.

As our Head of Strategy (Waste, Recycling and Clean Streets), you can make your own powerful contribution by ensuring that Westminster’s residents and visitors to the area benefit from clean streets and efficient domestic and commercial waste services. Not only that, we also champion carbon reduction and recycling initiatives, thereby playing our part in improving air quality and protecting the environment for future generations. The Waste and Cleansing team is at the heart of this high profile and deeply important mission, and it is here that you could find a fascinating challenge.
We are currently at an exciting time in our development, in which we are forming a new programme team to review and deliver our waste contract which is due to come to an end in September 2027. It is imperative that we connect fully with our communities and city-stakeholders to understand and address the challenges of keeping a densely-populated borough clean before this contract is re-procured. Taking the lead of this ambitious initiative, you will therefore identify local needs and determine what is needed to deliver key waste and cleansing services, defining our future strategic priorities and direction. This will include considering measures needed to address health and wellbeing inequalities across the borough, so the scope to make an impact on our local residents is immense.
Bringing key teams together such as Corporate Programme Management, Communities, Communications, Procurement, Legal and more, you will see to it that a holistic approach is being taken, and that key shared objectives are being considered, established and delivered. Crucially any decisions you make will be evidence-based and provide great value for money, so you will be keen to build relationships with the best partners.
With the scope to nurture the talents of a high-performing (and award-winning) team, and work in partnership with Officers and Cabinet Members across the council, you will always be mindful of the need to drive community satisfaction in our services, so this is a great opportunity to embed improvements in how we are working.
With this service having an annual value of around £57 million, this is an unparalleled opportunity to take your career to the next level.
Please refer to the Job Description for more information.