Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then 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 experienced risk professional the role 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 influential 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.
Whilst the role is mostly internal facing, there are opportunities to build networks with other Government Departments.
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 what we do. You will be asked to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training will be available.
Qualifications
* Experienced technical leader with extensive understanding of risk management gained in a similar role.
* Comprehensive understanding of the Orange Book and risk management principles including risk governance and assurance.
* 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.
* 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.
Ideal Qualifications
* Risk management qualification or relevant professional membership (e.g. IRM Cert).
* Understanding of other risk‑based functions e.g. project/programme management, health and safety.
Competencies
Influences and Persuades Others
Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
In this role, you will need to influence and persuade a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
Provide an example where you have won people over, encouraging them to willingly follow your plan. What were the challenges you faced, and how did you do this?
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Definition: Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without compromising quality or accuracy.
A core part of this post is shaping and implementing improved approaches to risk management.
Describe a time where you identified, created and implemented a new, innovative way of working that improved efficiency.
Delivers Results Through Others
Definition: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
This role will require you to deliver a large programme of work through teams that you do not line manage.
Describe a time when you have harnessed resources within and outside of your immediate team to deliver complex projects or pieces of work in the face of significant obstacles and challenges.
Communicates Effectively
Definition: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Describe an occasion where you have had to distil complex, technical information into clear messages for senior audiences so that they can make decisions.
Application Process
There is one permanent role available. This is a hybrid role; the successful candidate can be based at any Environment Agency office. Some travel will be required to attend national meetings, with some overnight stays. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share.
Contact: Claire Sunshine – Claire.sunshine@environment-agency.gov.uk. For additional information or to register for the call on 23 October, email riskandassurancepa@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Vacancy closes on 7 November 2025. Interviews are expected to be held w/c 1 December using MS Teams.
If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, your details may be held for 6 months and you may be offered an alternative post.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, reflecting the communities we serve. A Guaranteed Interview Policy supports those with a disability.
Artificial intelligence can be used to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience.
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