Overview
Are you passionate about ensuring we have enough water for people, business, and the environment? With a large part of the economy now depending on reliable water supplies, do you want to help secure the water resources needed for nature and for growth?
You will lead a department in Operations Catchment Services, with over 70 technical experts, who deliver a national water resources service including:
* Shaping and scrutinising Water companies' statutory Water Resource Management Plans
* Providing expert input to the National Framework for Water Resources
* Managing programmes to deliver sustainable abstraction
* Drought planning and drought management
* Developing talent and skills in water planning
* National modelling for water resources and groundwater
Responsibilities
* Leading the operational delivery of services, ensuring resources are used effectively, priorities are met, and performance is efficient and demonstrable
* Taking a wider leadership role as part of the Operations Catchment Services Leadership Team
* Championing health, safety, and wellbeing; fostering inclusion; and actively supporting the growth and development of staff
* Demonstrating passion for developing individuals and teams to be their best, creating an open, inclusive, trusting culture
* Maintaining excellent stakeholder management with a strong customer focus and well-honed influencing skills
* Thinking strategically to identify opportunities while simplifying to deliver what is most important
* Applying working knowledge of water resources management in the context of environmental, political, and economic pressures affecting the wider water environment
The team is a national service providing expertise in water and environmental planning, water company account management, and data analysis, and acts as the centre of technical excellence for water resources and water quality planning.
Experience / Skills Required
* Authentic leader with a strong team focus; believes great leadership protects people and the environment
* Passion for developing individuals and teams to be their best, fostering an open, inclusive, trusting culture
* Excellent stakeholder management with a customer focus and well-honed influencing skills
* Strategic thinking to identify opportunities and the ability to simplify complex problems to deliver what is most important
* Working knowledge of water resources management and understanding of the environmental, political, and economic pressures affecting water-related sectors and the wider water environment
About the role and environment
We are looking for candidates to join a department in Operations Catchment Services, with over 70 technical experts, delivering a national water resources service including the items listed above. The environment Agency values a diverse workforce and is committed to an inclusive culture. We welcome flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability.
We are non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra; we adhere to guidance on the use of artificial intelligence and require all examples in applications to be truthful and from the applicant’s own experience.
Seniority level
* Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Management and Manufacturing
Location: Kingston Upon Hull, England, United Kingdom. Applications are blind and interviews will be held via MS Teams on 27 January 2026. The role can be based at any Environment Agency office across England. Please read the Candidate Pack for information. If you have questions, contact Stewart Mounsey, Deputy Director, Operations Catchment Services at ocsadmin@environment-agency.gov.uk
We may hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post if applicable.
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