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.
Responsibilities
* 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.
About the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate
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, embracing and living diversity for the benefit of our staff, communities and environment.
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 & 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 Areas
Competence 1: Achieves Results
This role is fast paced and reactive; you need to adapt quickly to changing demands and pressures while keeping an eye on 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
The role sits in a small, fast‑paced Executive Office and requires close collaboration, supporting colleagues during busy periods and knowing when to elevate issues and when to handle them 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
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?
Employment & Diversity
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, please 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.
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, the application may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
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