Overview
The National Operations Manager (NOM) is a newly created, high-profile leadership role within the Environment Agency (EA). They will lead the National Operations Centre (NOC) and the nationwide incident response staff as they anticipate, assess, mitigate and respond to varied and complex incidents and risks, carrying out statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, adhering to Cabinet Office best practice.
Responsibilities
* Hold the responsibility for the Command, Control and Communications of the multi-disciplined incident response and the effective deployment of mobile response assets. Translate strategic and tactical priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives and provide briefings for senior leaders, including Government and partners to fulfil public and environmental protective duties.
* Gather intelligence and develop situational awareness to provide the organisation with a deep understanding of threat, capability, strategy and political nuance. Direct investigative work, information analysis and intelligence development, and oversee the production of intelligence products, technical papers and risk assessments for diverse audiences (Executive Directors, partner organisations, Government/Ministers).
* Support the Executive Director of Operations with the management of operational risk, ensuring comprehensive understanding of technical and political issues and cross-government coordination. Act as a single point of contact for high security classification engagements, and be suitably vetted to represent the EA at Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.
* Develop the evolution of National Operations Centre capabilities and embed them in the business. Deliver senior Incident Management & Resilience portfolios of work as directed.
The Team
You will be part of a team of six NOMs, reporting to an accountable Deputy Director within the Incident Management & Resilience Directorate alongside 400 colleagues.
Purpose/Guiding Principles
* Plan for changing risk: Make the biggest impact by being ready for the greatest risks
* Collaborate to inspire action through partnership: People take action to reduce the impact of incidents
* Respond to the climate emergency: Deal effectively with frequent and complex incidents.
Experience/Skills Required
Essential Criteria
* Experience of incident management, leading/improving a fast-paced operational delivery service, managing competing priorities, high user expectations, resource constraints.
* Analytical skills to evaluate data from various sources and to identify benefits/risks to make well-considered judgements and decisions.
* Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, translating strategic and tactical priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives; influence culture and expectations of how teams work.
* Represent the function in internal and external forums, including meetings, committees, and panels.
* Practised in inclusive leadership, modelling values to drive a high-performing culture with good governance, assurance, risk management, productivity, and positive people outcomes.
* Experience of delivering successful change and continuous improvements, working collaboratively with key stakeholders and building strong relationships.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience operating in confidential environments, handling sensitive intelligence.
Contact and Additional Information
Flexible hours are available through blended home/office working. Travel is required with occasional overnight stays, and attendance at our Bristol office. Shift working is required, including: earlies/lates/weekends/out of hours on-call.
How to Apply
Please provide the following:
* An anonymised CV containing your job history and key achievements - maximum 3 pages.
* A Personal Statement concisely explaining your motivation for applying for this role and evidence how you meet the Essential Criteria and competencies: Leads People; Takes Decisions & Solves Problems; Influences & Persuades Others; Focuses on Efficiencies; Innovation & Quality - maximum 2 pages.
We will hold a briefing call on 15/09/2025. Interviews are in person in Bristol week commencing 13/10/2025.
Role specific license requirements
* Recognised professional tactical or strategic incident management command trained, such as JESIP Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) or equivalent.
Role specific professional membership requirements
* Membership of a relevant professional institution, such as UK Resilience Academy, Emergency Planning College, CIWEM, ICE, Royal Geographical Society, etc.
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 appointment. You may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy calculations as described. For any status questions, contact your HR team.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job sharing, so please include your preferred working arrangements on your application. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for recruitment. We are unable to engage through post, email or phone calls. If you wish to become a supplier on government frameworks, visit the Crown Commercial Service information page.
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