Deputy Director for Strategic Water Resource Options (SWRO) - 31341

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Job Description

At the Environment Agency, we aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

We are seeking an inclusive and strategic leader to join us as Deputy Director for Strategic Water Resource Options (SWRO).

In this impactful role, you’ll guide the Environment Agency’s contribution to a £50 billion national infrastructure investment programme through to 2050, supporting sustainable growth, enhancing climate resilience, and protecting the environment for future generations.

You will lead a portfolio of 33 major water resource infrastructure projects, supported by a skilled programme office, technical experts, and communications specialists. This role suits a collaborative and future-focused leader who can build strong relationships and influence across local, regional, and national levels, working with colleagues, communities, industry, and government to achieve meaningful outcomes.

As the Deputy Director, you will also provide strategic oversight of critical water supply infrastructure owned by the Environment Agency and externally managed, supporting more than 18 million people. You’ll help shape the vision and ensure delivery aligns with our wider goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and leading our national water resources programme
• Partnering with the Environment Agency Board, Executive Directors, and senior leaders to align on strategy
• Working closely with Defra, RAPID, and the water sector to strengthen collaboration
• Coordinating programme teams to achieve long-term goals
• Overseeing risk, assurance, and benefit delivery
• Planning for the right people and skills to support the work
• Managing programme budgets (c. £3–5 million)
• Leading national engagement from central government to local communities

This is a unique opportunity to shape nationally significant infrastructure with long-term environmental and social value. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds with strategic vision, strong collaboration skills, and inclusive leadership.

The team

You’ll lead a core team providing programme support, communications, and technical expertise, alongside a wider virtual team across the organisation. As the programme develops, you’ll help shape and grow this multidisciplinary team central to delivering collaborative, cross-sector work.

In Environment & Business, we promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We use evidence, collaboration, and innovation to inform delivery, influence policy and legislation, and secure resources for long-term impact.

Experience/skills Required

We’re seeking individuals with a strong record of delivering complex programmes and achieving impactful results. You’ll bring experience in setting strategic direction, monitoring progress, and adapting to shifting priorities.

You should:

• Be confident leading inclusive, multidisciplinary, and geographically dispersed teams, creating a supportive environment where people thrive. You understand how to establish effective governance and manage risk effectively.
• Have strong financial oversight and experience managing significant budgets. You’ll be an effective communicator, able to share information clearly across complex organisations and build trusted relationships to influence positive outcomes.
• Familiarity with infrastructure policy and regulatory frameworks in the UK water sector is helpful but not essential.

You should hold a degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field. A recognised qualification in programme management and/or membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., APM, CIWEM) is desirable.

Contact and additional information

Responding to incidents is a central part of our work. You’ll be expected to have an incident role. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be provided.

The role is flexible/hybrid, with an EA office base location. Travel and overnight stays are expected.

Please read the attached Candidate Pack. To register your interest in the Candidate Information Call and receive joining instructions, email: Lyndsey.Patton@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 25 August 2025.

If you consent to being on a reserve list, your details will be held for 6 months for potential alternative posts.

Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; employment does not confer Crown Servant status. For local government or other eligible applicants, continuous service may be recognized for redundancy calculations. Contact your HR for clarification.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion. Flexible working, job sharing, and guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants are supported.

As a Non-Departmental Public Body, we use government frameworks for recruitment and do not engage directly via post, email, or phone. To become a support supplier, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier.