Location
Romford, London Borough of Havering

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£93,006 – £102,705 per annum

About the Role
Lead the future of Havering’s public spaces as a strategic and forward-thinking leader shaping the delivery of public realm services. Havering is one of London’s greenest boroughs, proud of its clean streets, vibrant parks, and commitment to sustainability. This role offers the opportunity to lead essential services that directly impact residents, businesses, and visitors.

As Assistant Director - Public Realm, you will oversee a broad portfolio including waste and recycling, street cleansing, parks, trees, and open spaces. You will lead high-performing teams, manage major contracts, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver efficient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible services.

Reporting directly to the Director of Environment, you will play a key role in shaping borough-wide strategy and delivery, ensuring services meet council priorities and national policies.

Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement long-term strategies aligned with council priorities and national policy
- Lead operational teams and manage high-value contracts to ensure service excellence
- Champion sustainability and climate action, including biodiversity and low-emission initiatives
- Collaborate with elected members, residents, and partners to co-design responsive services
- Monitor performance, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement
- Manage budgets and secure external funding to support innovation and infrastructure
- Contribute to leading emergency and seasonal operations, including storm, fire, and winter gritting response
- Promote inclusive, accessible public spaces for all communities

Why Choose Havering?
- Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible Working Options including hybrid and remote arrangements
- Generous Annual Leave with the option to buy additional days
- Professional Development commitment to 10 days of learning annually
- Health & Wellbeing Support including mental health resources
- Inclusive Culture guided by ICARE values: Integrity, Creativity, Ambition, Respect, Everyone

We are a council that embraces change, encourages fresh ideas, and supports career progression. If you are ready to make a lasting impact in a borough that values initiative, collaboration, and civic pride, this is the role for you.

Experience
- Proven leadership in large-scale operational services and contract management
- Experience delivering strategic outcomes in public realm or environmental services
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Financial acumen and experience managing multi-million-pound budgets

About you
- Passion for sustainability, innovation, and community impact
- Flexibility to support borough-wide events and out of hours responses
- Ability to collaborate effectively with elected members, residents, and partners
- Commitment to promoting inclusive and accessible public spaces

Qualifications
Relevant senior leadership experience in public realm, environmental services, or related fields is essential. Specific academic qualifications are not detailed but strategic leadership and operational expertise are required.

Additional Information
- We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee interviews for applicants with disabilities who meet essential criteria
- All roles are subject to relevant checks including DBS or Disclosure Scotland where applicable
- Internal redeployees will be given priority consideration
- We practice anonymised recruitment; please ensure all personal information is removed from uploaded documents
- Please provide a supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria for this role in no more than two A4 sides