Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and inspirational leader to lead the National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS). NEAS primarily focuses on enabling the environmental agency to deliver its 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, influencing senior leaders, industry experts, delivery partners, and external stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes at a strategic level.
Principal Accountabilities / 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 the changing needs of the business, environment and stakeholders.
* Promote a culture of psychological safety that empowers confident decision making and enables innovation.
* Plan and deliver change within the team and across relevant business relationships amid ongoing internal and external change programmes.
The Team
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, ensuring capital and operational strategies and projects navigate environmental complexities efficiently. You will work alongside two other Managers to ensure close collaboration and a shared leadership approach.
Experience / Skills Required
* Significant experience in Project Delivery, Environmental Legislation, Environmental Policy or related subject to Environmental Assessment.
* Significant experience leading technical teams, translating strategy into operational delivery.
* Experience driving a high-performance team culture with personal accountability; facilitate psychological safety and prioritise people over process.
* Innovative thinking with opportunities for new collaborations and better use of data.
* Ability to take risk-based, proportionate decisions at pace and remove barriers to delivery.
* Comfort operating in uncertainty and ability to communicate complex issues clearly to senior internal and external colleagues.
* Demonstrated ability to build consensus and influence internal and external senior stakeholders to benefit the environment and business.
Contact and Additional Information
Environment Agency is committed to inclusivity and equal opportunities. Flexible working patterns are supported, including job sharing. The team is nationally dispersed; some travel and occasional overnight stays may be required. The role can be fulfilled via hybrid working. Training and participation in incident response duties may be required. Please download the candidate pack for full details including how to apply. For more information, contact the recruiting manager Lee Meaden at lee.meaden@environment-agency.gov.uk. Assessments will take place on Microsoft Teams in the week commencing 29 September and will include a panel interview and a staff engagement exercise.
Competencies
1. Leads People
o Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their goals and the Environment Agency objectives.
2. Develops People
o Ensures team members have the skills, knowledge and experience to perform in current roles and develop into future roles.
3. Manages Change
o Leads change effectively within own team; applies evidence to overcome resistance and aligns with corporate objectives.
4. Manages Self
o Maintains self-awareness, personal development, and responsible leadership in the Environment Agency.
Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and support flexible work patterns, including job sharing. We guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability meeting minimum criteria. We are unable to engage with the market directly via post, email or phone calls for recruitment; see Crown Commercial Service guidance for supplier opportunities.
Job location: Wooler, England, United Kingdom (with national dispersion and some travel). Seniority: Mid-Senior level. Employment type: Full-time. Job function: Management and Manufacturing.
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