This is a rare secondment opportunity in Growth, Highways and Infrastructure (GHI), as our next Assistant Director of Environment and Waste - leading a portfolio of statutory services and critical functions that help support the county's development and prosperity whilst protecting and enhancing Suffolk's unique natural and historic environment.
With a new administration recently elected to lead the council, Suffolk preparing for Local Government Reorganisation and the creation of a Mayoral County Combined Authority, this is an exciting time to influence the strategic direction of key services for our residents, businesses and communities.
Your role and responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Lead Suffolk’s strategic agenda for environment and waste services, including waste management, nature recovery, flood and water management, countryside access and statutory environmental services.
- Provide visible, inclusive leadership to multi-skilled teams across Suffolk, driving innovation, continuous improvement and high performance.
- Support and contribute to Local Government Reorganisation activity, ensuring service continuity while helping to shape future council arrangements.
- Provide strategic advice and professional leadership to elected members, supporting the development and implementation of policy and long term priorities.
- Lead significant programmes of work and complex projects, often within politically sensitive contexts.
- Drive effective partnership working with district and borough councils, neighbouring authorities, government bodies and external providers.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced, values-led senior leader with the credibility and expertise to lead major statutory services during a period of organisational change.
We hope you’ll bring:
- Senior leadership experience within local government or a comparable large, multi‑functional organisation of similar scope, size and complexity.
- An inclusive leadership style rooted in integrity and our WE ASPIRE values.
- A proven ability to lead large‑scale change, service redesign and improvement.
- The ability to turn strategic priorities into effective delivery through sound judgement and influence.
- Strong understanding of local government and experience operating within complex political environments.
- A proven ability to manage substantial budgets and resources responsibly and effectively.
- The confidence to work across organisational boundaries, building constructive relationships with partners and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
The team
You will report to the Service Director for GHI and be a member of the directorate leadership team, with direct line management responsibility for three Heads of Service covering:
- Flood and Water Management
- Environment Strategy
- Natural and Historic Environment
- Waste Management
The role provides strategic oversight across professional, technical and operational teams working county wide.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Steve Palfrey for a casual conversation. You can reach them by either calling 01473 264787 or emailing steve.palfrey@suffolk.gov.uk
If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
Step 3 - Provide a one-page personal statement explaining why you should be considered for the role, along with a copy of your CV.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 31 May 2026.
Interview date: 8 June 2026.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
