Technical Director - Waste Market Specialist

Our Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) team is looking to expand its respected waste management due diligence capabilities to meet strong demand for our expert services. We are looking for someone with extensive and demonstrable experience of winning, leading and delivering high level due diligence support to waste management, infrastructure and financial entities. You will be a respected, recognized industry expert and will hold strong market relationships which you will use to develop the team’s M&A workstream and foster long term clients.

Our M&A support crosses commercial, technical, environmental and ESG. While experience across all of these streams would be preferable, strong experience of commercial and technical support is of particular importance.

SLR’s Sustainable Waste Management team has extensive experience of providing practical technical advice across municipal, household, commercial, industrial, hazardous, agricultural, and mining waste projects. Our specialisms are expanding to meet the challenges associated with sustainability, circular economy and mitigation of climate impacts, ensuring that we continue to provide comprehensive resource management services to our clients.

Our technical service offerings include:

• Advice to the financial sector (e.g. due diligence, market assessment)
• Advice to construction companies and waste technology providers (e.g. carbon assessments, waste management plans)
• Public sector waste support (e.g. strategy development, options analysis, service improvement and contract procurement)
• Private sector waste support (e.g. bid development)
• Waste logistics

• Circularity and sustainability studies

We provide a hybrid working environment but also see benefit in our staff having access to one of our offices to allow direct engagement with colleagues and other technical disciplines - the preferred locations for this role are Bradford-on-Avon, Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh, but SLR has offices across the UK.

The role

We are seeking a leader with the ability to manage projects from end to end, working closely with technical specialists in the SWM team to deliver excellence in all you do. Business development will be a key strength, as will managing client demands within fast-paced projects. You will hold a strong understanding of market dynamics, cost modelling, feedstock analysis, and will ideally have experience of delivering across a range of infrastructure projects (e.g. AD, EfW, MRF) across the UK and abroad. You will understand technical risks associated with facility design, construction and operation, and will hold an extensive understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks and policies.

You will have strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and will be able to develop concise, impactful due diligence reports for investors and senior stakeholders. You will be confident in presenting to both clients and wider project stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

The main objectives of the role will be to:

• Undertake both reactive and proactive business development activities to identify and secure M&A support projects, playing a leading role in the ongoing growth of the Sustainable Waste Management team
• Lead projects by acting as the key interface with clients and engaging clearly with the wider project team to ensure that deliverables are met efficiently and to the highest standard
• Act as a technical and commercial expert, communicating confidently and persuasively in responding to questioning
• Continue to develop your expert knowledge to provide both external and internal advice on waste management matters by keeping abreast of latest developments across the UK waste sector, including policy / legislative drivers, new infrastructure developments, secondary materials market dynamics and commercial trends;
• Lead the development of high quality, successful bid submissions to meet SLR’s strategic and financial objectives
• Lead and oversee projects to ensure client and business objectives are achieved, including proactively tracking budgets and forecasts
• Support and develop existing and new mid-grade and junior staff to develop a leading service offering

This position offers a fantastic opportunity for someone with extensive market experience to play a lead role in further developing SLR’s waste services offering and driving the business forward. It will also provide the opportunity to grow a workstream and support the team to provide best in class services.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus

• Company pension

• Private medical insurance

• Life, income, and travel insurance

• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes

• Volunteering and Community Giving

• Flexible, hybrid and agile working

• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays

• Buy or sell leave options

• Core working hours

• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay

• Workplace Nursery benefit

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally

About you

We are looking for a leader with extensive experience of working with or for commercial entities on due diligence projects within the waste and resources sector, as well as:

• Expert knowledge, both theoretical and in the field, of resources and waste management, legislative and policy drivers and market dynamics
• An excellent understanding of current and future challenges facing commercial and industrial entities as well as the public sector
• Experience of leading business development activities, with the ability to identify, develop, win and deliver opportunities from existing and new contacts
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional body
• Full driving licence

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.