West London/Home Counties | Confidential Appointment
Strategic Leadership Opportunity - Environmental & Resource Services
12 Month FTC initially leading to Perm
We are supporting a leading public-sector partnership delivering large-scale environmental and resource management services across a major London region in the appointment of a Director of Operations & Contracts - a pivotal senior leadership role with strategic responsibility for operational delivery, commercial partnerships, and major contract performance.
This high-impact position sits at the heart of the organisation's senior leadership team and will shape the future of waste and resource services for over a million residents. With accountability for substantial budgets and oversight of complex, high-value contracts, this is an opportunity to drive transformation and influence policy in one of the UK's most dynamic and high-profile environmental service landscapes.
The Opportunity
You will provide strategic direction and visible leadership across operations, contracts, and procurement, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of services that support local authorities and meet ambitious sustainability targets. You'll lead on complex commercial negotiations, develop resilient supply chains aligned to circular economy goals, and spearhead major service transformation programmes that deliver measurable value, innovation, and continuous improvement.
This role requires a strong strategic thinker who can balance political, operational, and commercial priorities, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and elected Members while building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking a proven senior leader with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and commercial success in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment - ideally within the resources, environmental, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.
You will bring:
* Substantial leadership experience across large-scale operations, contracts, and procurement, with full accountability for financial performance.
* Proven expertise in strategic contract management, commercial negotiation, and supplier performance.
* Demonstrable success in leading major transformation and change initiatives.
* Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIWM, IOSH, CIPS) and a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
* Outstanding communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills, with credibility at Board and political levels.
This is a rare opportunity to lead at a senior level in an organisation that is redefining how essential environmental services are delivered - and to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable resource management in London.
About us: Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose-led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all.
Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability.
Let's help build a better world, together.