Overview
The National Operations Manager (NOM) is a newly created, high-profile leadership role within the Environment Agency (EA). They will lead our 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 our statutory duties under the Civil Contingency Act 2004, adhering to Cabinet Office best practice.
Responsibilities
* Hold the responsibility for the Command, Control and Communications of our multi-disciplined incident response and the effective deployment of our 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 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 a comprehensive understanding of technical and political issues and cross-government coordination. Act as a single point of contact when high-security classification levels are required, and be suitably vetted to represent the EA at Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.
* Support the evolution of the National Operations Centre capabilities and embedding them in the business. Responsible for delivering senior Incident Management & Resilience portfolios of work as directed.
Team and Purpose
You’ll be part of a team of six NOMs, reporting to an accountable Deputy Director within the Incident Management & Resilience Directorate alongside 400 colleagues.
* 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 identify benefits/risks to make well-considered judgments and decisions.
* Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, translating strategic and tactical priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives, and influencing culture and expectations of how teams will work.
* Represent the function in internal and external forums, including meetings, committees, and panels.
* Inclusive leadership with visible values, driving a high-performing culture that delivers governance, assurance, risk management, productivity, and positive people outcomes.
* Experience of delivering successful change and continuous improvement, working 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 the Bristol office. Shift working is required, including earlies, lates, weekends, and 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 explaining your motivation 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. Further details are in the NOM Information Pack. Any questions contact IMX@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Role-specific Requirements
* Role-specific license requirements: Recognised professional tactical or strategic incident management command training (e.g., JESIP Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command, MAGIC) or equivalent.
* Role-specific professional membership requirements: Membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., UK Resilience Academy, Emergency Planning College, CIWEM, ICE, Royal Geographical Society, etc.).
EEO and Diversity We are fully committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.
The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For information on becoming a supplier or other recruitment guidance, please visit the Crown Commercial Service information page.
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