Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Senior Advisor - Natural Flood Management - 32183

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Job Description

We’re on an ambitious journey to embed nature‑based solutions at the heart of flood resilience. As outlined in our FCERM Strategy and Roadmap, Natural Flood Management (NFM) plays a vital role in reducing flood risk while delivering wider benefits for nature, communities and society.

This permanent senior role offers a unique opportunity to shape and accelerate our work to scale up NFM – building on learning, piloting approaches and filling evidence gaps. You’ll lead key areas that influence national policy, investment decisions and on‑ground practice.

The role will focus on several key priorities, including supporting the set‑up and delivery of emerging large‑scale NFM pilots and leading the evaluation of our £25 million NFM programme. You’ll own the national analysis of hydrological and environmental monitoring data, alongside wider evidence and learning, and align with the agreed national direction of travel to support mainstreaming NFM.

Stakeholder relationships across the Environment Agency (EA) and beyond – operational staff, delivery bodies, national colleagues, Natural England and Defra – are central to the role. You’ll co‑lead the internal NFM Community of Practice, build capability and share learning, and serve as a role model for the advisory team.

The position involves hybrid working, some travel and overnight stays. Responding to incidents is a central part of the job; you will hold an incident role and be available for incident response or business continuity support, with additional payment and full training available.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of large‑scale NFM pilots across the UK.

• Own the national analysis of hydrological and environmental monitoring data and produce evidence‑based recommendations.

• Manage and report on programme and financial performance, including grant giving.

• Build and sustain relationships with stakeholders, including DA, Natural England, Defra and delivery bodies.

• Act as a partner to senior leaders, briefing and communicating impactfully.

Experience and Skills

• Natural Flood Management – commissioning, funding, delivery, and identifying opportunities to upscale.
• Innovating and piloting approaches.
• Programme and financial management, including grant giving.
• EA processes and governance (e.g. Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Building and sustaining stakeholder relationships, working with delivery bodies.
• Communicating with clarity and impact, both written and verbal, including briefing senior leaders.
• Distilling key findings from evidence and insights and translating them into strategic recommendations.

Competencies

• Achieves Results – Describe a time you delivered high‑quality results under pressure and uncertainty, set priorities and navigated ambiguity.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners – Describe a time you balanced the needs of multiple customers with conflicting priorities, managed expectations and achieved constructive outcomes.
• Programme and Project Management – Tell us about a time you led a complex project or programme involving multiple teams or stakeholders, ensured alignment, managed risks and delivered successfully.
• Communicates Effectively – Describe a time you explained complex information to others, made it clear and easy to understand for different audiences, and the communication methods you used.

Further Information

Contact: Eleanor Heron (eleanor.heron@environment-agency.gov.uk). Interviews will take place virtually week commencing 17th November.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and offer flexible working patterns, 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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates penalised for plagiarism or misattribution.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance and Sales

Job Location

Not specified (role based in the UK – candidates based in any UK location are encouraged to apply).