Job Description
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 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. 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 as part of the incident role and make yourself available to provide business continuity support during an incident, with the possibility of an additional payment and full training.
Experience & Skills Required
You will need to be an experienced technical leader who has an extensive understanding of risk management gained in a similar role. You will also need to have:
* 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 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: 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
We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. The successful candidate can be based at any Environment Agency office with some travel required to attend national meetings, including overnight stays. Contact Claire Sunshine at Claire.sunshine@environment-agency.gov.uk for questions. The vacancy closes on 7 November 2025. Interviews are expected to be held w/c 1 December using MS Teams. A call 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.
Commitment to Equality and Diversity
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 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. To become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts, please visit the relevant GOV.UK page.
Artificial intelligence may be used to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Applications presenting plagiarised or AI‑generated content may be withdrawn or result in disciplinary action.
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