Contract Type: 3 months temp Assignment, with potential for extension

Location: Flexible / Hybrid (with regular site visits to depots, parks, open spaces and service areas)

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Interim Service Operations Lead to provide strategic and operational oversight across Parks & Open Spaces, with additional support across Waste (outsourced) and Street Cleaning services. This role is critical in preparing the organisation for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant service delivery.

The successful candidate will lead a short-term review and planning phase, followed by potential implementation support. You'll work closely with service managers, depot teams, and senior leadership to stabilise operations, identify efficiencies, and provide much-needed reassurance in a service area that has lacked consistent management.

Key Responsibilities

• Parks & Open Spaces Leadership
• Conduct a comprehensive review of Parks & Open Spaces operations.
• Ensure services are delivered safely and in compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Assess current practices and develop clear operating procedures.
• Depot & Health & Safety Oversight
• Review working arrangements across depots, with a focus on H&S compliance.
• Conduct audits and risk assessments to identify and mitigate operational risks.
• Ensure depot operations meet regulatory standards and best practice.
• Strategic Planning for LGR
• Consolidate data across Parks, Waste, and Street Cleaning to inform LGR planning.
• Collaborate with contract leads and senior stakeholders to shape the future operating model.
• Develop a clear plan for change, including service redesign and transformation.
• Efficiency & Cost Reduction
• Identify opportunities for service improvement and cost savings (targeting 10% reduction).
• Review routing, operating instructions, and service delivery models for optimisation.
• Team Support & Stabilisation
• Provide leadership and guidance to under-resourced service teams.
• Act as a stabilising presence and mentor to service managers.
• Build operational clarity and confidence across the organisation.

Person Specification

• Strong operational knowledge of Parks & Open Spaces (essential)
• Experience in Waste services within an outsourced environment (desirable)
• Understanding of Street Cleaning operations
• Proven track record in Health & Safety compliance, especially in depot environments
• Experience delivering efficiency savings and service transformation
• Ability to lead and support teams lacking consistent management
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Local government experience preferred