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 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. Whilst the role is mostly internal facing, there are opportunities to build networks with other Government Departments.
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.
* Respond to incidents by having an incident role and making yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident.
Experience and Skills Required
* Experienced technical leader with 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.
* Proven track record of successfully implementing and embedding risk management initiatives through collaborative working.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience providing expert risk advice and engaging with senior leaders.
* Ability to build strong, trusted relationships across all levels whilst challenging firmly and constructively.
* Experience working in a complex and fast‑paced environment, adapting quickly to changing circumstances and managing competing priorities.
* Ideally, a risk management qualification or relevant professional membership (e.g. IRM Cert). Understanding of other risk‑based functions such as project/programme management and health & safety.
Contact and Additional Information
For questions relating to these roles, contact Claire Sunshine (Claire.sunshine@environment-agency.gov.uk). The vacancy closes on 7 November 2025. Interviews are expected to be held in the week commencing 1 December using MS Teams. A call for interested applicants will be held 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.
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. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability. 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.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
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.
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