Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and inspirational leader to lead the National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS). NEAS focuses on enabling the environmental agency to deliver its capital and asset management programmes in compliance with environmental legislation, policies and corporate priorities. You will manage several strategic portfolios, lead your team through change and ensure day‑to‑day delivery in an efficiently prioritised manner. We’re seeking an inclusive, collaborative, and driven leader who can lead teams through change while enabling a diverse workforce to thrive and deliver to the highest standards.
As well as being an experienced leader, you will have project delivery experience in conformance with environmental legislation, policies and strategies. You will have a proven track record of working closely with and influencing senior leaders, industry experts, delivery partners, and external stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes at a strategic level.
Responsibilities
* Lead a team of circa. 45 staff that are technical experts in environmental legislation, heritage, carbon, landscape architecture and biodiversity net gain.
* Lead proactive stakeholder management to build trust, foster strong relationships and create opportunities for collaboration.
* Set strategic priorities aligned to the wider EA strategy and motivate the team to deliver efficiently.
* Develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement to optimise responses to changing business, environment and stakeholder needs.
* Foster psychological safety to empower confident decision making and enable innovation.
* Plan and deliver change within the team and across relevant business relationships amid ongoing change programmes.
Team and Department
You will join the Environmental Assurance & Reservoir Regulation (EARR) Department within the Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Directorate. NEAS is a nationally dispersed team of 140+ people focused on navigating environmental complexities in capital and operational strategies and projects. You will work with two other Managers to enable close collaboration and collective leadership.
Experience and Skills Required
* Significant experience in Project Delivery, Environmental Legislation or Environmental Policy and related areas.
* Significant experience leading technical teams and translating strategy into operational delivery.
* Experience driving a high‑performance team culture, modelling personal accountability, facilitating psychological safety and prioritising people over process.
* Innovative thinking with a track record of new collaborations and better use of data.
* Ability to make risk‑based, proportionate decisions quickly and remove barriers to delivery.
* Comfort operating in uncertainty and communicating complex issues clearly to senior internal and external colleagues.
* Ability to build consensus and influence senior stakeholders to make the best choices for the environment and the business.
Contact and Additional Information
We are committed to an inclusive workforce and flexible working patterns. The team is nationally dispersed; some travel and occasional overnight stays may be required. The role can be fulfilled via hybrid working. Training and participation in incident response duties may be required where needed. Please download the candidate pack for full details including how to apply. For information, contact the recruiting manager Lee Meaden at lee.meaden@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Assessments will take place on Microsoft Teams in the week commencing 29 September and will include a panel interview and a staff engagement exercise.
Competencies
* Leads People – Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve goals.
* Develops People – Ensures team members have the skills and knowledge to perform and grow.
* Manages Change – Effectively leads change within the team and organisation.
* Manages Self – Demonstrates self‑awareness, accountability and ongoing personal development.
Additional Notes
We welcome flexible working arrangements, including job share. The Environment Agency is not part of the Civil Service, and continuous service may vary by employee sector. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities if minimum criteria are met. The Environment Agency is a Non‑Departmental Public Body and uses government frameworks for recruitment.
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