Waste Manager

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Would you like to work for one of the most innovative Universities within the UK? We are seeking a highly motivated and proactive individual to play a key role in the delivery of an efficient, compliant, and customer-focused waste management service across the University. With experience in waste management within a commercial, facilities, or cleaning services environment and having operated as part of a senior management team, you will bring strong communication, influencing, and collaborative skills to help deliver a high-quality service.

In this role, you will promote and facilitate strong partnership working, particularly through effective development, coordination, and monitoring of our waste contractor. The contract covers approximately 22 waste streams, including materials generated through teaching, administrative, commercial, and residential activities. You will ensure performance is closely monitored, data is accurately captured, and opportunities for improvement are identified and acted upon.

You will play a central role in supporting the University’s commitments to Our Pathway to Net Zero, the plastics reduction programme, net-zero waste ambitions, and the wider circular economy transformation. You will champion initiatives that reduce waste, drive reuse and recycling, influence behaviour change, and encourage staff and students to actively contribute to our sustainability goals.

A strong analytical approach is essential. You will use contractor data portals and internal reporting systems to produce accurate performance reports, assess environmental impacts--including emissions--and identify opportunities for innovation, waste reduction, and enhanced circularity. You will work closely with the sustainability team, Legal Compliance colleagues, and other specialist services to monitor and improve environmental outcomes.

Reporting to the Head of Cleaning Services and working as part of the Waste Management Steering Group, you will be responsible for waste operations across all University locations, liaising closely with Residential Services who manage their own waste streams. You will collaborate with the Health and Safety Service for regulated waste streams (including radiation and chemical waste), and engage actively with the Sustainability Service, academic departments, Estates teams, and other internal stakeholders.

As a leader, you will motivate, manage, and develop staff to ensure an effective and efficient service that aligns with University priorities. You will promote a positive working environment, embedding high standards of health and safety and ensuring the delivery of a safe campus for all users.

Operationally, you will oversee the condition, safety, and efficiency of waste disposal areas across the University estate. This includes conducting regular audits of physical condition, contractor performance, and compliance standards, and contributing to innovation and waste-reduction projects that advance our transition from traditional waste management towards a circular approach.

You will also ensure that all waste-related service contracts meet agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) on behalf of stakeholders across the University, including Residential Services, Commercial Services, and academic and research areas both on and off campus.

A key part of your work will be ensuring compliance across all waste streams, including Hazardous, Chemical, Clinical, and Radioactive waste, maintaining robust standards and working closely with subject-matter specialists to ensure safe and legally compliant operations.

You will bring significant experience of managing staff and overseeing contractor performance within a waste management function, as well as strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively, influence outcomes, and build effective working relationships across a large and complex organisation.

The post holder will be flexible as required to meet the demands of the business, weekends may need to be worked during key business periods.

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: ?url=www.gov.uk%2Fskilled-worker-visa&module=jobs&id=3223566" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=www.gov.uk%2Fskilled-worker-visa&module=jobs&id=3223566" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.gov.uk/skilled-­worker-visa .

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: ?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fglobal-talent&module=jobs&id=3223566" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fglobal-talent&module=jobs&id=3223566" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.gov.uk/­global-talent

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) - That’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance- the University contributes 14.5% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Magali Massip, Head of Cleaning Services

Email: M.Massipleeds.ac.uk

Please see details of the University’s Pre-employment Health Assessment within the Candidate Brief.

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Further Details:
Candidate Brief

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Location Leeds - Main Campus Faculty/Service Facilities Directorate School/Institute Cleaning Services Category Professional & Managerial Grade Grade 7 Salary £41,064 to £48,822 per annum Post Type Full Time Contract Type Ongoing Release Date Tuesday 24 March 2026 Closing Date Wednesday 15 April 2026 Interview Date Friday 24 April 2026 Reference FDCLS1037

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