Overview

The National Operations Manager (NOM) is a newly created, high-profile leadership role within the Environment Agency (EA). They will lead our National Operations Centre (NOC) and the nationwide incident response staff as they anticipate, assess, mitigate and respond to varied and complex incidents and risks, carrying out our statutory duties under the Civil Contingency Act 2004, adhering to Cabinet Office best practice.

Responsibilities

• Hold the responsibility for the Command, Control and Communications of our multi-disciplined incident response and the effective deployment of our mobile response assets. Translate strategic and tactical priorities into clear outcome-focused objectives and provide briefings for senior leaders, including Government and partners, to fulfil our public and environmental protective duties.
• Gather intelligence and develop situational awareness to provide the organisation with a deep understanding of threat, capability, strategy and political nuance. Direct investigative work, information analysis and intelligence development, and oversee the production of a suite of intelligence products, technical papers and risk assessments tailored for varied audiences (Executive Directors, partner organisations, Government/Ministers).
• Support the Executive Director of Operations with the management of operational risk, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of technical and political issues and cross-government coordination. Act as a single point of contact for high-security engagements and be suitably vetted to represent the EA at Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.
• Support the evolution of the National Operations Centre capabilities and embedding them in the business. Responsible for delivering senior Incident Management & Resilience portfolios of work as directed.

The Team

You’ll be part of a team of six NOMs, reporting to an accountable Deputy Director within the Incident Management & Resilience Directorate alongside 400 colleagues.

Purpose statements:

• Plan for changing risk: Make the biggest impact by being ready for the greatest risks
• Collaborate to inspire action through partnership: People take action to reduce the impact of incidents
• Respond to the climate emergency: Deal effectively with frequent and complex incidents.

Experience/Skills Required

• Experience of incident management, leading/improving a fast-paced operational delivery service, managing competing priorities, high user expectations, resource constraints.
• Analytical skills to evaluate data from various sources and to identify benefits/risks to make well-considered judgments and decisions.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, translating strategic and tactical priorities into clear objectives and shaping team culture and expectations.
• Experience representing the function in internal/external forums, including meetings, committees and panels.
• Practiced in inclusive leadership, role modelling values to drive a high-performing culture with strong governance, risk management and positive people outcomes.
• Experience delivering successful change and continuous improvements, working with a range of stakeholders and building strong relationships.

• Experience operating in confidential environments, handling sensitive intelligence.

Contact and Additional Information

Flexible hours are available through blended home/office working. Travel is required with occasional overnight stays, and attendance at our Bristol office. Shift working is required, including earlies/lates/weekends/on-call.

How to Apply: Please provide:

• An anonymised CV containing your job history and key achievements – maximum 3 pages.
• A Personal Statement concisely explaining your motivation for applying for this role and evidence how you meet the Essential Criteria and competencies: Leads People/ Takes Decisions & Solves Problems/Influences & Persuades Others/ Focuses on Efficiencies/Innovation & Quality – maximum 2 pages.

We will hold a briefing call on 15/09/2025. Interviews are in person in Bristol week commencing 13/10/2025. Further details are in the Additional NOM Information Pack. Any questions contact IMX@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Role specific license requirements: Recognised professional tactical or strategic incident management command trained, such as JESIP Multi-Agency gold incident command management (MAGIC) or equivalent.

Role specific professional membership requirements: Membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., UK Resilience Academy, Emergency Planning College, CIWEM, ICE, Royal Geographical Society, etc.).

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share, so please include any information about preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment and guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency is committed to value for money and uses Central Government frameworks/contracts for all external recruitment needs. For information on becoming a Crown Commercial Service supplier, visit the Gov.uk page linked in the original posting.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing