Overview
Be among the first 25 applicants. Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? 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 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 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. There are opportunities to build networks with other Government Departments; the role is mostly internal facing.
This vacancy closes on 7 November 2025. Interviews are expected to be held w/c 1 December using MS Teams. We will be holding a call for interested applicants 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.
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.
Responding to incidents is a central part of this work; you may have an incident role and be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be provided.
Team and context
Our Risk and Assurance Team sits in Strategy, Transformation and Assurance. We set the standards, shape the processes, and provide tools that help teams make confident, informed decisions. We support colleagues at every level to manage risk in a way that’s consistent, effective and empowering. This is a technical leadership role and there may be an opportunity for line management in the future.
Experience and skills
Required
* An extensive understanding of risk management gained in a similar role.
* 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 of providing expert risk advice and engaging with senior leaders on risk management matters.
* The ability to build strong, trusted relationships across all levels while 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).
Additional information
* This is a hybrid role; the successful candidate can be based at any Environment Agency office. Some travel and overnight stays may be required. Flexible working patterns including job share are welcomed.
* For questions relating to these roles, contact Claire Sunshine (Claire.sunshine@environment-agency.gov.uk).
* We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability, and encourage applicants to indicate preferred working arrangements.
* The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra and participates in government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. Details may be found at gov.uk guidance for Crown Commercial Service suppliers.
Competences
* Influences and Persuades Others
Definition: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that wins people over and encourages them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail. You will influence a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders. Provide an example of winning people over and describe challenges faced.
* Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Definition: Identifies and seizes opportunities to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods without compromising quality. Describe a time you identified and implemented a new, innovative way of working that improved efficiency.
* Delivers Results Through Others
Definition: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time and to standard, often delivering through others you do not line manage. Describe how you delivered complex projects with available resources despite obstacles.
* Communicates Effectively
Definition: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information clearly and persuasively to senior audiences. Describe an occasion where you distilled complex information for decision-making.
Note: 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. There are considerations regarding continuous service and redundancy; check with your HR team if unsure.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. Please include any information about preferred working arrangements on your application. We also guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.
The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for external recruitment. If you want to become a supplier on one of these frameworks, see the Crown Commercial Service guidance at gov.uk.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. If plagiarism is identified, applications may be withdrawn. We align with Civil Service guidance on the use of AI; review for more information.
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