* Look ahead and anticipate any potential conflicts or competing priorities and take the initiative to act to resolve or minimise disruption.
* Liaise with senior leaders across the directorate as well as external stakeholders and partners.
* Provide a varied range of business, administrative and finance system support
* Look ahead and anticipate any potential conflicts or competing priorities and take the initiative to act to resolve or minimise disruption.
* Liaise with senior leaders across the directorate as well as external stakeholders and partners.
* Provide a varied range of business, administrative and finance system support
In this varied and challenging role you will also have the opportunity to join the Executive Director on visits around the country.
The FCRM is a Directorate of around 1,600 staff. This is a pivotal time to be working for us, as the UK faces the escalating impacts of climate change and the increasing risks of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, and coastal erosion.
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.
* Ability to work quickly and collaboratively to progress work and resolve any potential issues that may arise.
* Ability to use or learn Environment Agency systems on behalf of the Executive Director
* Experience communicating clearly, professionally and effectively with a range of stakeholders, including those at a senior level.
* Experience in organising a busy and varied workload and responding at pace and with agility to new priorities and demands.
* Confident in the use of Microsoft tools (including Outlook and SharePoint).
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Able to work well in a team and individually.
Job Description
Do you want to learn from the senior leaders and be at the beating heart of the Environment Agency? If so, we’re looking for a motivated and highly organised Executive Assistant to join our team and lead the Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Executive Director’s diary, daily business and key administration tasks.
Working closely with others in the Executive Office, colleagues from across the organisation, and external partners and stakeholders, you will manage the Executive Director’s diary to;
* Coordinate and organise meetings, events and travel arrangements on behalf of the Executive Director.
* Look ahead and anticipate any potential conflicts or competing priorities and take the initiative to act to resolve or minimise disruption.
* Liaise with senior leaders across the directorate as well as external stakeholders and partners.
* Provide a varied range of business, administrative and finance system support
In this varied and challenging role you will also have the opportunity to join the Executive Director on visits around the country.
The FCRM is a Directorate of around 1,600 staff. This is a pivotal time to be working for us, as the UK faces the escalating impacts of climate change and the increasing risks of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, and coastal erosion.
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.
The team
The Executive Office is a small, highly supportive team that works at pace to deliver a wide range of priorities on behalf of the organisation’s senior leadership. You will report to the Executive Coordination Manager, working closely alongside the Executive Advisor.
Experience/skills Required
* Ability to provide a high-quality administrative and diary management service demonstrating strong attention to detail.
* Ability to work quickly and collaboratively to progress work and resolve any potential issues that may arise.
* Ability to use or learn Environment Agency systems on behalf of the Executive Director
* Experience communicating clearly, professionally and effectively with a range of stakeholders, including those at a senior level.
* Experience in organising a busy and varied workload and responding at pace and with agility to new priorities and demands.
* Confident in the use of Microsoft tools (including Outlook and SharePoint).
* Excellent organisational skills.
* Able to work well in a team and individually.
Contact and additional information
The successful applicant can be based at any location and we support hybrid working.
Some occasional travel and overnight stay may be required including travel to 2 Marsham Street, London to meet and work with the team. If you are based in the London office, you will be eligible for London weighting.
Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 27 April 2026.
For further information about the role, please contact: Kate Sandham, Executive Coordination Manager – kate.sandham01@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
This role is fast paced and reactive, you need to be able adapt quickly to changing demands and pressures whilst keeping an eye on the long-term goals. You should be resilient to changes in direction and opinion.
Question: Tell me about a time you had to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment. How did you stay organised while looking after your wellbeing?
Competence 2
Works in Teams
Description
The role sits in a small, fast-paced Executive Office and requires close collaboration, supporting colleagues during busy periods and knowing when to escalate and when to handle independently
Question: Tell me about a time you worked closely with others in a busy environment to deliver something important. How did you collaborate, support the team, and keep things on track?
Competence 3
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
The role sits in the FCRM Executive Office, where you need to form strong, professional relationships with senior leaders, colleagues, and external partners. It requires showing respect, adapting communication to different audiences, and using tact and diplomacy at all times.
Question: How do you build strong working relationships with senior leaders or stakeholders?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
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, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
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. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. #J-18808-Ljbffr