OverviewThe Environment Agency is committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We seek diversity and strive to 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 it as a product – bringing together all work required in a way the programme team can engage with to track delivery, join up and create efficiencies.

Work with workstream leads to identify activities, resource requirements, milestones and when support is needed.

Set programme controls and assurance, enabling the programme to adapt to change if required.

Apply and advise on governance, including creating business cases.

Capture, manage and report on risks and issues, understanding what is a specific risk for the programme and how to escalate appropriately.

Lead programme meetings, bringing together programme team members for a common goal and motivating them to deliver.

Report on progress to different levels of the organisation and Defra, understanding what different audiences require.

The team: This role will work 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 working on high profile, cross-cutting work, giving you a view of water industry enforcement across the organisation.

Experience/skills Required

Demonstrable experience successfully leading projects and project teams.

An understanding or experience of transforming complex organisations.

Excellent communication and influencing skills – able to present complex information clearly and succinctly to enable decision making.

Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with dispersed customers; ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures and encourage consideration of diversity issues.

Ability to respond to tight deadlines and prioritise; thrive in a fast-paced, complex and changing environment; lead project teams through uncertainty and ambiguity as a proactive problem solver.

An understanding of water industry, regulation or enforcement activities would be useful.

Additional informationThis role is initially advertised until end March 2026 and may be extended until end March 2027.

You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role the working location is flexible/hybrid. Some travel and overnights may be required.

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. If you have any queries please contact Tamsin Appleton at tamsin.appleton@environment-agency.gov.uk. Interviews will be held via MS Teams. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

We are fully committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment. For more information see the Crown Commercial Service guidance on supplier involvement.

Artificial intelligence

can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of applications. We align with Civil Service guidance on AI usage.

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