Workforce Transition Manager - 35337

Workforce Transition Manager - 35337
1
National
Various
Staff Grade 7
Fixed Term
Programme and Project Management
Full Time, Part Time, Other
£68,820 Pro-rata

21/06/2026, 23:55 hours

BS07 Job Family Role Profile Business Support Services, Grade 7

Basic Check

The Environment Agency (EA) is fully committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects 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

We're looking for an experienced and highly capable Workforce Transition Manager to lead the Environment Agency’s approach to workforce change following the publication of the government’s ‘A new Vision for Water’ White Paper.

This role sits at the centre of a high-profile programme and is responsible for managing people impacts of change from proposed significant reforms to the regulation of the water environment and the establishment of a new water regulator. 

You will:

  • Lead and coordinate the end-to-end workforce change process arising from organisation and legislative reforms, ensuring activity is structured, legally compliant, and delivered effectively
  • Manage formal consultation processes, including Trade Union engagement, ensuring all activity is undertaken appropriately and in line with employment law
  • Oversee the transfer process for any staff moves, including consideration of terms and conditions, including pensions, pay and broader reward frameworks, working closely with HR, specialist teams and policy teams
  • Ensure alignment of any workforce transition activity with Defra and the other regulators (Natural England, DWI and Ofwat) to support consistent and coordinated management of change
  • Ensure that any changes are considered in conjunction with the wider change landscape in EA so that any interdependencies can be identified and appropriately managed
  • Identify and manage risks relating to people change, including legal, reputational and workforce impacts
  • Establish and maintain clear governance and decision-making routes for workforce transition activity
  • Work closely with the Defra and EA programme, HR and business leads to ensure impacts on people and culture are fully understood and considered in decision-making
You will be part of a small agile, motivated team working directly with the Strategic Design and Transition Programme Director and Deputy Directors. The team is dispersed and continuing to develop, offering a supportive, collaborative and high-trust environment with strong opportunities for personal growth.

You will be an experienced workforce change, HR or transformation professional with a strong track record of leading complex people change in a regulated environment.

You will have a strong understanding of employment law and formal consultation processes, with experience managing Trade Union engagement and delivering compliant, well-structured workforce transitions.

You will be supported by the relevant corporate services teams and technical experts.

You will bring excellent communication and influencing skills, able to develop clear and credible change narratives and support leaders and teams through uncertainty.

You will be confident working across organisational boundaries, aligning activity with wider system partners (e.g. Defra group), and applying sound judgement to manage risk and organisational impact.

You will be resilient, pragmatic and delivery-focused, able to lead sensitive and complex change while maintaining trust, clarity and momentum.

You will have an EA office base location; however, as this is a national role, flexible working is supported.

We use smart tools to stay connected and minimise travel. Some travel will be required to attend monthly in person programme and team meetings and workshops, including occasional overnight stays.

For further information, please see the Job Profile or contact sarah.cook@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Applications are assessed anonymously based on your responses to the questions below. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

Up to 12 months
Manages Change
Describe a time when you led a formal workforce change process (e.g. organisational restructure, TUPE, or consultation). How did you ensure the change was delivered in line with employment law and organisational requirements? How did you manage consultation, support affected staff, and maintain delivery through the transition?
Embraces Change
Give an example of when you had to respond to complex or sensitive people change in a rapidly evolving environment. How did you adapt your approach, maintain clarity for stakeholders, and manage uncertainty or ambiguity for colleagues affected by the change?
Engages others
Tell us about a time when you led engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. Trade Unions, HR, senior leaders, external partners). How did you build trust, ensure views were heard and considered, and use feedback to shape decisions and outcomes?
Achieves Results
Describe a time when you delivered a complex piece of work involving significant people impacts or organisational change. How did you manage competing priorities (e.g. legal requirements, people impacts, delivery timelines), mitigate risks, and ensure a successful outcome?
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 then you should 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.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

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 (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.