Overview

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 present this as a product that engages the programme team to track delivery, join up activities and create efficiencies.
• Work with workstream leads to identify activities, resource requirements, milestones and when support is needed.
• Set programme controls and assurance to enable the programme to adapt to change.
• Advise on governance, including creating business cases.
• Capture, manage and report risks and issues, and escalate appropriately.
• Lead programme meetings, engaging and motivating team members toward a common goal.
• Report progress to different levels of the organisation and Defra, tailoring communications to the audience.

Team and context

This role works closely with the Chief Regulators Group and Water Regulation in the national Environment and Business Directorate. The Water Regulation Programme Office is a new team handling high-profile, cross-cutting work, providing a view of water industry enforcement across the organisation.

Experience/skills required

• Demonstrable experience leading projects and project teams.
• Understanding or experience of transforming complex organisations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to present complex information clearly for decision-making.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with dispersed customers and with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures; actively consider diversity in work.
• Ability to respond to tight deadlines and prioritise; thrive in a fast-paced, complex, changing environment; proactive problem solving.
• Understanding of the water industry, regulation or enforcement is useful.

Additional information

• This role is advertised initially until end March 2026 and may be extended until end March 2027.
• EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid; some travel and overnight stays may be required.
• Inclusive development: an objective in your development plan; appropriate training provided. Flexible working patterns including job share are welcome; please indicate preferred arrangements in your application.
• Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with a disability; interview guaranteed to those meeting minimum criteria.
• 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.
• AI guidance: use truthful, own experiences; plagiarism may result in withdrawal or disciplinary action. Environment Agency aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI use.

Competences

• Programme and Project Management – Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve objectives cost-effectively.
• Delivers Results Through Others – Harnesses the team to deliver on time and to standard.
• Influences and Persuades Others – Presents a convincing case to gain buy-in.
• Communicates Effectively – Listens, questions and conveys information clearly in speech and writing.

Senior Planning, Monitoring & Control Professional – Planning and related competencies are described in the role materials. This content is provided for selection and development purposes.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates. We encourage flexible working patterns for all vacancies and can accommodate job sharing where possible. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all candidates.