We have an excellent opportunity available for a Service Director – Environment to join our Place & Growth Directorate here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

Lead the delivery of a cleaner, greener and more sustainable borough!

As the Service Director – Environment, you will provide visionary leadership across high-profile and impactful service areas. This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering waste and environmental services that directly affect the quality of life for our residents and communities. As the lead Service Director for our commitment to tackling the climate emergency, you will also oversee our corporate and community response to drive towards a carbon neutral future.

As a key member of the Place & Growth Leadership Team and the Council’s Extended Corporate Leadership Team, you will work closely with elected Members, corporate colleagues, partners and contractors to deliver ambitious outcomes for place-making, sustainability, environmental stewardship and high quality customer focused regulatory services.

You will lead a large, complex and diverse portfolio, providing strategic direction, strong governance and inspirational leadership across services including waste, climate, environmental and regulatory services, heritage green and blue infrastructure and emergency planning.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (additional 5 days with 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme 

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Car and Cycle to Work

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out and more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities - Including running, football, cricket & more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

⭐And more!

We’re looking for a confident, politically astute and values-driven leader with substantial experience operating at a senior level in local government or a comparable public sector environment.

Key responsibilities:

• Setting strategic direction and delivering the Council’s corporate priorities across environmental and climate-related services
• Leading service transformation, innovation and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality, value-for-money outcomes
• Overseeing the development and delivery of environmental, waste, climate change and enforcement strategies
• Managing significant budgets and resources in line with the Medium Term Financial Plan
• Building strong relationships with Members, partners, contractors and stakeholders to maximise impact and social value
• Championing customer-focused service delivery and inclusive access
• Acting as Silver Duty Officer as part of the Council’s emergency planning arrangements

You will also play a critical role in securing external funding, driving digital innovation, managing risk and ensuring statutory compliance across all service areas.

Candidate Requirements:

• Degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
• Proven senior leadership experience across environmental, regulatory, waste or climate-related services
• In-depth knowledge of environmental legislation, governance and public sector service delivery
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing large and complex budgets
• A track record of leading transformation, innovation and performance improvement
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. 

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. 

Click the link below and Apply Today!

Alternatively, for more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lee Partridge - Recruitment Business Partner via email recruit@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date: Sunday 15th March 2026, 11pm

Interview dates: Please see Recruitment Process attached.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.