The Environment Agency is 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.
You will work at the centre of our transformation on water industry enforcement. As a programme manager you will support the programme team to identify objectives and deliver significant business change to our enforcement capacity and capabilities.
Responsibilities
* Identify the key outcomes required from programmes and the projects within them, and present these with clarity.
* Develop and maintain a programme plan and create this as a product – bringing together all the work required in a way which the programme team can engage with to track progress, join up and create efficiencies.
* Work with workstream leads to identify activities, resource requirements, milestones and when support is required.
* Set programme controls and assurance, enabling the programme to adapt to change if required.
* Advise on governance, including creating business cases.
* Capture, manage and report on risks and issues raised through the programme, understanding what is a specific risk for the programme and how to escalate appropriately.
* Lead programme meetings, engaging all members and motivating them to deliver.
* Report on progress to different levels of the organisation and Defra, understanding audience needs.
The team
This role will work closely with the Chief Regulators Group and Water Regulation in national Environment and Business Directorate. These are national, dispersed teams which support delivery, influence policy and secure resources for regulation of the water industry and wider water sector. The Water Regulation Programme Office is a new team working on high profile and cross-cutting work. This position provides visibility across water industry enforcement in the organisation.
Experience/skills Required
* Demonstrable experience leading projects and project teams.
* Understanding or experience of transforming complex organisations.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills—able to present complex information clearly to enable decisions.
* Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with dispersed customers and to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, encouraging consideration of diversity in their work.
* Ability to respond to tight deadlines and prioritise.
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex and changing environment; confident in leading project teams through uncertainty and ambiguity as a proactive problem solver.
* Understanding of water industry, regulation or enforcement activities would be useful.
Contact and additional information
* This role is initially advertised until end March 2026 and may be extended until end March 2027.
* Location: EA Office base with a national, flexible/hybrid working pattern. Some travel and overnights may be required.
* Inclusive development plan with appropriate training provided.
* Applications are blind assessed using competency questions.
* For queries, contact Tamsin Appleton at tamsin.appleton@environment-agency.gov.uk.
* Interviews will be held via MS Teams. If you consent to a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer an alternative post.
* Length of contract: Up to 31/03/2026.
Competences
* Programme and Project Management
Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively. Question: Please tell us about a time you established a new project and your role as Project Manager.
* Delivers Results Through Others
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures. Question: Please tell us about a time when you led a team to deliver a significant item of work.
* Influences and Persuades Others
Presenting a case in a convincing way to win people over and encourage them to follow plans willingly.
* Communicates Effectively
Listens and asks questions to understand; conveys information clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working patterns are welcome, including job share; please indicate any preferred working arrangements on your application. We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra. We do not engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls for recruitment.
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