Overview

We are looking for a strong lawyer and leader for the role of Senior Managing Lawyer Environmental Regulation (Water). This role will lead and manage a team providing legal support covering environmental regulation and civil litigation in relation to water resources and water quality, including advice on environmental law and regulation, appeals, civil court challenges, judicial review and injunction applications. You will be a role model for the Environment Agency’s leadership behaviours and will provide leadership to deliver timely, risk-based, high-quality legal advice and litigation in the field of water and related regulation.

Responsibilities

You will:

• Lead, plan and monitor the team’s strategic direction to support the delivery of business plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships at management level, providing an intermediate escalation point on legal issues for internal Executive Managers and Managers to anticipate and resolve issues, promoting effective partnership working.
• Own, manage and deliver cross-cutting issues on behalf of Legal and Audit Services.
• Lead a team of Senior Lawyers working on environmental regulation and litigation relating primarily to water quality and resources regulation; advise Area operational staff on site-based regulation as part of the National and Environmental Regulation Legal Team.

Role details

This role is full time or a job share that delivers full-time cover. We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies; please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. The role can be based at any main office location (Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Peterborough, Warrington, Leeds, Reading). Some travel will be required. Interviews are planned for October 2025.

Experience/skills Required

You will have:

• Experience of managing and leading people.
• Experience handling complex technical issues.
• Significant experience advising on one or more of the following areas: judicial review; regulation, civil penalties and appeals to PINs and/or the First and Upper Tribunal; public law.
• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation or ability to acquire it rapidly.
• Confidence to assimilate a new area of environmental or other law quickly.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other senior lawyers on cross-cutting issues.
• Ability to write detailed legal briefings for senior/government level and respond to parliamentary questions.
• Confidence and ability to brief orally at director/board/government level.
• Experience of working effectively at a national level and/or with government.

Qualifications

You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister with a current right to practise in England.

Application notes

Please outline how you would lead your team to provide an outstanding legal service and demonstrate your experience against the top competencies: Leads People; Influences and Persuades Others; Shapes organisational approach and delivery. Details of how to apply are in the candidate pack. The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcomes flexible working patterns, including job share. If you require an interview accommodation, the agency offers a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

Contact

For more information, please contact Estelle Palin at estelle.palin@environment-agency.gov.uk.