Job Description

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, and 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, we are part of the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. The Contracts, Performance & Risk Team collaborate with other parts of the fleet team to develop the contract requirement, 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).

Experience / Skills Required

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and with suppliers.
• Influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders.
• Forward thinker, identify opportunities and risks.

Experience of the procurement processes within Defra would be desirable.

Contact and Additional Information

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 may be comfortable with 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 week 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.

Competence 1 – Efficiency, Innovation and Quality

In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have identified an opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods and processes but without compromising quality or accuracy.

Competence 2 – Influences and Persuades Others

In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have presented a case in a convincing and attractive way that has won people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Competence 3 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have found and delivered a solution to a problem, by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Role specific license requirements

Full UK Driving Licence.

EEO and Diversity Statement

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so 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, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/becoming-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. We are not a part of HM Civil Service and therefore you will not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Continuous service eligibility details for local government and other bodies are provided. We invite you to review the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in the Civil Service Careers website for more information on appropriate use.