Job Overview
Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you! This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence our approach to risk management. We’re offering an experienced risk professional the chance to lead the implementation of our Risk Management Framework and drive a programme of work that strengthens our risk culture across the organisation.
Responsibilities
* Champion and maintain our Risk Management Framework, ensuring it aligns with HM Treasury’s Orange Book and meets organisational needs.
* Lead the rollout of consistent risk‑management processes across the organisation.
* Deliver an annual programme of activities to embed good risk practices and foster a proactive risk culture.
* Provide senior leaders with clear, insightful reporting to support strategic decision‑making.
* Build trusted relationships across teams, offering expert advice and constructive challenge.
* Collaborate with other functions (e.g. health & safety, programme management) to integrate risk‑management into everything we do.
* Coach and support team members, helping them grow and deliver with confidence.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be asked to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be available to support you with your incident role.
The Team
Our Risk and Assurance Team sits in Strategy, Transformation and Assurance. We set the standards, shape the processes, and provide the tools that help teams make confident, informed decisions. From expert advice to engaging training and practical resources, we support colleagues at every level to manage risk in a way that’s consistent, effective and empowering. This is a technical leadership role and there may be an opportunity for line management in the future.
Experience and Skills Required
You will need to be an experienced technical leader who has an extensive understanding of risk management gained in a similar role.
* Comprehensive understanding of the Orange Book and risk management principles, including risk governance and assurance.
* A proven track record of successfully implementing and embedding risk management initiatives through collaborative working and delivering through others across multiple teams.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience of providing expert risk advice and engaging with senior leaders on risk management matters.
* The ability to build strong, trusted relationships across all levels whilst challenging firmly and constructively.
* Experience of working in a complex and fast‑paced environment, adapting quickly to changing circumstances and managing competing priorities.
Ideally, you will also have:
* A risk management qualification or relevant professional membership (e.g. IRM Cert).
* Understanding of other risk‑based functions e.g. project/programme management, health and safety.
Contact and Additional Information
There is one permanent role available. This is a hybrid role; the successful candidate can be based at any Environment Agency office. Some travel will be required to attend national meetings, with some overnight stays. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.
For questions relating to this role, contact Claire Sunshine (Claire.sunshine@environment-agency.gov.uk).
This vacancy closes on 7 November 2025. Interviews are expected to be held w/c 1 December using MS Teams. We will be holding a call for interested applicants on 23 October at 10:00 to provide more details – please contact riskandassurancepa@environment-agency.gov.uk for call details.
If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and we may offer you an alternative post.
Competency Requirements
Influences and Persuades Others
In this role you will need to influence and persuade a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
A core part of this post is shaping and implementing improved approaches to risk management.
Delivers Results Through Others
This role will require you to deliver a large programme of work through teams that you do not line‑manage.
Communicates Effectively
Describe an occasion where you have had to distil complex, technical information into clear messages for senior audiences so that they can make decisions.
Additional Legal and Diversity Statements
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non‑Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non‑departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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