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 provide timely, risk-based, high-quality legal advice and litigation in the field of water regulation.

This role is full time or a job share and can be based at main office locations (Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Peterborough, Warrington, Leeds, Reading). Some travel will be required. The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce and flexible working patterns; please include your preferred working arrangements in your application.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan and monitor the strategic direction of the team’s contribution to business plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships at management level; provide an intermediate escalation point on legal issues for internal Executive Managers and Managers to anticipate and resolve issues; promote 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.

Experience / Skills Required

• Experience of managing and leading people.
• Experience of handling complex technical issues.
• Significant experience advising on one or more of the following legal areas: (1) judicial review; (2) regulation, civil penalties and appeals to PINs or First/Upper Tier Tribunals; (3) public law.
• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation or ability to get up to speed rapidly.
• Confidence and experience to assimilate a new area of environmental or other law quickly.
• Ability to collaborate with other senior lawyers effectively on cross-cutting issues.
• Ability to write detailed legal briefings for senior/government level and respond to parliamentary questions in writing.
• Confidence and ability to brief orally at director/board/government level.
• Experience of working effectively at a national level and/or with government.

Role specifics

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a current right to practise in England.
• If applying from the Civil Service, note that Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of appointment. You may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes if you currently work in local government or other listed bodies.
• Flexible working patterns including job share are welcomed; please state your preferences on your application.
• Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.
• The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body; recruitment is via Central Government frameworks. For supplier opportunities, refer to Crown Commercial Service guidance.

Application & Contact

Your application should outline how you would lead your team to provide outstanding legal service, and demonstrate your experience against the top competencies: Leads People; Influences and Persuades Others; Shapes organisational approach and delivery. Interviews are planned for October 2025. For discussion, contact Estelle Palin at estelle.palin@environment-agency.gov.uk.