Overview

We’re looking for an experienced and inspirational leader to lead the National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS). NEAS focuses on enabling the environmental agency to deliver capital and asset management programmes in compliance with environmental legislation, policies and corporate priorities. You will manage several strategic portfolios, lead your team through change and ensure day-to-day delivery in an efficiently prioritised and delivered manner. We’re seeking an inclusive, collaborative, and driven leader that can lead teams through change while enabling and supporting a diverse workforce to thrive and deliver to the highest standards. You will have experience in project delivery in conformance with environmental legislation, policies and strategies, and a proven track record of working closely with senior leaders, industry experts, delivery partners and external stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes at a strategic level.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of circa 45 staff that are technical experts in environmental legislation, heritage, carbon, landscape architecture and biodiversity net gain.
• Lead proactive stakeholder management to build trust, foster strong relationships and create opportunities for collaboration.
• Set strategic priorities aligned to the broader EA strategy and motivate the team to deliver efficiently.
• Develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement to optimise delivery for changing needs of the business, environment and stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of psychological safety that empowers confident decision making and enables innovation.
• Plan and deliver change initiatives within the team and across relevant business relationships, in the context of ongoing organisational change.

Team and Department

You will join the Environmental Assurance & Reservoir Regulation (EARR) Department, part of the Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Directorate. NEAS is a nationally dispersed team of 140+ people. The team ensures capital and operational strategies and projects navigate environmental complexities efficiently. You will work alongside two other Managers to ensure close collaboration and a unified leadership approach.

Experience and Skills

• Significant experience in Project Delivery, Environmental Legislation, Environmental Policy or related areas relevant to Environmental Assessment.
• Significant experience leading technical teams, translating strategy into operational delivery.
• Ability to drive a high-performance team culture, model personal accountability, facilitate psychological safety and prioritise people over process.
• Innovative thinking with a focus on new collaborations and better use of data.
• Confidence to take risk-based, proportionate decisions at pace and remove delivery barriers.
• Comfort operating in uncertainty and ability to communicate complex issues clearly to senior internal and external colleagues.
• Able to build consensus and influence internal and external senior stakeholders to make the best choices for the environment and the business.

Working Arrangements and Additional Information

• The Environment Agency is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities, with flexible working patterns including job share. Please indicate your preferred working arrangements in your application.
• The team is nationally dispersed; some travel and occasional overnight stays may be required. The role can be fulfilled via hybrid working.
• Attendance at required training and participation in incident response duties when needed.
• Please download the candidate pack for full details including how to apply.
• For more information, contact the recruiting manager Lee Meaden (lee.meaden@environment-agency.gov.uk).
• Assessments will take place on Microsoft Teams in the week commencing 29 September, including a panel interview and a staff engagement exercise.

Competencies

• Leads People – Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve personal and Environmental Agency goals.
• Develops People – Ensures team members have skills, knowledge and experience to perform and develop into future roles.
• Manages Change – Leads change effectively in own team and across the organisation.
• Manages Self – Maintains self-awareness, takes personal responsibility and pursues ongoing development.

Note: We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support candidates with a disability whose applications meet the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and participates in government frameworks for external recruitment. For more information about supplier opportunities, refer to the Crown Commercial Service guidelines.