Overview

We’re fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.

The Environment Agency strategy is to protect and enhance nature and leave the nation’s natural environment in a better state than we inherited it. We have committed to being a net zero organisation and Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is responsible for leading the fleet transition to achieving this. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of fleet specialists to support delivery of these ambitious fleet targets and drive tangible change. You will work within a team of contract professionals, delivering a varied work programme of purchase and service contracts on behalf of the Environment Agency and our Defra Partners. You will work with colleagues across the organisation identifying business needs, setting contract strategy, and leading tender processes including award of contracts.

As a member of the Contracts, Performance & Risk Team, you will work with contract managers overseeing the contracts through the whole lifecycle, working with suppliers to reduce their environmental footprint, maintain a cost-effective fleet, to deliver our legal and health & safety responsibilities. Excellent relationship management and influencing skills are critical to the role. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support with this.

The team: Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is a national team providing a collaborative fleet service across the Defra group, part of the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. The Contracts, Performance & Risk Team collaborates with other parts of the fleet team to develop the contract requirements, determine and award the required contracts and contract management of supplier performance to ensure operational delivery of services. The role will report to the Fleet Manager (Contract Performance).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and suppliers to identify business needs, set contract strategy, manage purchase and service contracts, and lead tender processes including award of contracts.
• Oversee contracts through the full lifecycle with contract managers; work with suppliers to reduce environmental footprint and maintain a cost-effective fleet while meeting legal and health & safety responsibilities.
• Respond to incidents as required; participate in necessary training.
• Support the DGFS fleet services across the Defra group as part of a national team.

Experience / Skills Required

We are looking for someone who enjoys working with contracts and has good commercial acumen. This would be a great opportunity for anyone wishing to utilise and develop their interpersonal and analytical skills.

• excellent communication and organisational skills.
• the ability to collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and our suppliers.
• the ability to influence and persuade both internal and external stakeholders.
• be a forward thinker and able to identify both opportunities and risks.

Experience of the procurement processes within Defra would be desirable.

Location, Working Patterns and Interviews

As part of a national team the location is flexible. You may be required to work in EA offices and attend national meetings, possibly with some overnight stays. You’ll understand and be comfortable with the challenges of remote working and management. The post is Full Time but requests for other work patterns will be considered.

Interviews are expected to take place via MS Teams during mid to late November 2025.

Please contact Jacqui Date (Fleet Manager) via email on Jacqui.date@environment-agency.gov.uk (Monday to Thursday) for more information or to arrange an informal discussion.

Role specific requirements

Full UK Driving Licence.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. You may be eligible for continuous service in certain local government roles. If you are unsure of your status, please contact your HR Team.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. We are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. For information on becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, visit the government link provided in the original posting.

Artificial intelligence notice: AI can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Do not present ideas or experiences of others or generated by AI as your own.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing