Job Overview
Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? 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 opportunity for an experienced risk professional to lead the implementation of our Risk Management Framework and drive a programme of work that strengthens our risk culture across the organisation.
In this influential role, you’ll work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, providing expert advice and enabling teams to identify, assess, and manage risks with confidence and consistency. Your leadership will help ensure our decisions are informed, our operations resilient, and our people empowered. There are opportunities to build networks with other Government Departments, although the role is primarily internal facing.
The team sits in Strategy, Transformation and Assurance. We set standards, shape processes, and provide tools to help teams make confident, informed decisions. From expert advice to engaging training and practical resources, we support colleagues at every level to manage risk consistently, effectively and empoweringly.
This is a technical leadership role and there may be an opportunity for line management in the future.
Responsibilities
* Champion and maintain the 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 our work. You may be asked to take an incident role and be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract additional payment; full training will be provided.
Experience and Skills
You will need to be an experienced technical leader with extensive risk management knowledge gained in a similar role. You will also need:
* A 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 while 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. IRMCert).
* 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 these roles, 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.
Competences
* Influences and Persuades Others – Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail. In this role, you will need to influence and persuade a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders. Provide an example where you have won people over, encouraging them to willingly follow your plan. What were the challenges you faced, and how did you do this?
* Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality – Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and approaches without compromising quality or accuracy. Describe a time you identified and implemented a new, innovative way of working that improved efficiency.
* Delivers Results Through Others – Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes. This role may require delivering a large programme of work through teams that you do not line manage. Describe a time you harnessed resources to deliver complex projects in the face of obstacles.
* Communicates Effectively – Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information clearly, accurately and persuasively. Describe an occasion where you distilled complex, technical information into clear messages for senior audiences.
Additional notes If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. The Environment Agency is committed to diversity and inclusion. For more information about recruitment frameworks, or to become a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, please visit the Crown Commercial Service information page on gov.uk.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application and potential disciplinary action. We align with Civil Service guidance on the use of artificial intelligence.
We are committed to providing value for money and encourage flexibility. The Environment Agency, a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra, outlines accessibility and interview policies in our recruitment guidance.
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