Job 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, 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.

Team

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

Responsibilities

• Set contract strategy and identify business needs across the organisation.
• Lead tender processes, including award of contracts.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle with suppliers.
• Work with suppliers to reduce their environmental footprint and maintain a cost‑effective fleet.
• Support incident response and training participation.

Qualifications and Skills

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and our suppliers.
• Strong influencing and persuasion skills, both internal and external.
• Forward thinker with ability to identify opportunities and risks.
• Commercial acumen and experience of procurement processes within Defra would be desirable.

Competencies

1. Competence 1 – Focus on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
   In no more than 250 words, provide an example of where you identified the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods and processes without compromising quality or accuracy.
2. Competence 2 – Influences and Persuades Others
   In no more than 250 words, give an example of where you presented a convincing case that won people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly.
3. Competence 3 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
   In no more than 250 words, describe a situation where you delivered a solution to a problem by analysing information, developing alternatives and making sound, timely decisions.

License and Eligibility

Full UK Driving Licence.

If you are applying from the Civil Service, please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant. You may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes in certain circumstances – contact your HR team for details.

Working Hours and Pattern

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. The post is Full Time; requests for other work patterns will be considered.

Interviews will take place via MS Teams week during mid to late November 2025.

Contact

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.

Equal Opportunity 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. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.