Programme Lead

Overview

Are you ready to shape the future of waste management across Buckinghamshire? This is a rare opportunity to take the lead on high profile, complex programmes that will have a lasting impact on communities, the environment and public services. As our Programme Lead (Strategic Waste & Enforcement), you will drive innovative waste infrastructure and service improvement projects, influence strategic decision-making, manage significant capital programmes, and work with senior leaders, partners and industry experts to deliver meaningful change. If you are an experienced project or programme professional with strong waste management knowledge and a passion for turning ambitious ideas into reality, this role offers the chance to make a genuine difference.

This is more than project delivery; it's about creating sustainable solutions for the future. You'll lead complex projects from concept through to completion, developing business cases, managing risks and budgets, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards. With opportunities to influence strategy, shape future service provision and leave a legacy, this role offers challenge, variety and exceptional professional reward.

About us

At Buckinghamshire Council, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable services that improve the lives of our residents while protecting the environment for future generations. Our values of being Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy underpin everything we do, driving us to continuously improve and find innovative solutions to complex challenges.

The Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement team sits at the heart of some of the Council's most ambitious environmental priorities. We are a supportive and highly motivated team responsible for developing and delivering waste management strategies, infrastructure projects and commissioning solutions that keep Buckinghamshire moving towards a more sustainable future. Working alongside experienced waste professionals, technical specialists, consultants, contractors and senior stakeholders, you'll join a team that values expertise, encourages fresh thinking and celebrates success together.

About the role

As Programme Lead (Strategic Waste & Enforcement), you will play a pivotal role in leading and managing a diverse portfolio of strategic waste programmes and projects. Working closely with the Head of Strategic Waste Management and Enforcement and the Waste Commissioning Team Leader, you will help shape future waste service delivery, identify opportunities for whole system efficiencies and support long-term planning for waste infrastructure across Buckinghamshire. From developing robust business cases and procurement strategies to overseeing project governance and delivery, you will ensure complex programmes achieve their intended outcomes and provide lasting value for residents and the Council.

This role requires a highly capable programme manager who can confidently lead multiple projects simultaneously, applying recognised project management methodologies such as PRINCE2 to deliver against challenging timescales, budgets and quality standards. You will be responsible for managing programme risks, monitoring significant capital budgets, maintaining detailed project documentation and producing reports and presentations for a wide range of audiences, including senior leadership and decision making bodies. Your ability to analyse complex information, evaluate options and develop innovative solutions will be key to ensuring successful project delivery.

Success in this role will come from your ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels. You will work collaboratively with internal teams, elected members, consultants, contractors, regulators and partner organisations, often within complex or politically sensitive environments. With significant experience in waste management, NEC Contract Management, programme delivery, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and a strong understanding of legislation, governance and regulatory requirements, you will provide expert advice and leadership while supporting the continuous improvement of services. This is an exciting opportunity for a waste professional or experienced practitioner who is looking to lead impactful programmes that help shape the future of waste management in Buckinghamshire.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

About you

You are an experienced and driven waste management professional with significant programme and project management expertise, looking for an opportunity to make a real impact at strategic level. With a strong understanding of waste legislation, infrastructure development, commissioning and procurement, you will be confident leading complex programmes from concept through to delivery. Acting as deputy to the Waste Commissioning Team Leader, you will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of waste services across Buckinghamshire, overseeing major capital programmes, supporting the development of new waste infrastructure and leading large scale procurement and commissioning activities that deliver long-term value and environmental benefits.

You will be a natural leader who thrives on building relationships, influencing stakeholders and bringing people together to achieve shared goals. Comfortable working with senior leaders, elected members, contractors, consultants and partner organisations, you will have the credibility and communication skills to navigate complex challenges and drive projects forward. With recognised project management qualifications, strong commercial awareness and a passion for continuous improvement, you will enjoy leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams, developing others and delivering innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to residents, communities and the environment. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to take ownership of high-profile programmes, shape strategic decisions and leave a lasting legacy through the delivery of critical waste infrastructure and service improvements.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Angeli Lotay at ([email protected]) for an informal discussion.

Closing date: 13.07.2026

Interview Date: Friday 17^th July or Monday 20^th July

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day. 

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling
• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking
• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers
• managing Country Parks
• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy
• Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards
• Cemeteries and Crematoria

The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment. 

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that’s through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/