Deputy Director Risk and Assurance - 28755

As Deputy Director for Risk and Assurance you’ll be central to establishing and supervising the Environment Agency’s new approach to managing risk and putting in place robust organisational assurance for the Executive Directors team (EDT), EA Board and our Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC). 

This is an exciting and highly rewarding role that sits within the Environment Agency’s new Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. You’ll be trusted to provide confidential advice on strategic issues including risk, assurance and whistleblowing to enable us to operate in a safe, innovative and efficient way.

You’ll direct a team of approximately 19 highly skilled individuals who will support you in providing the following essential services for the Environment Agency:

Directing the Environment Agency’s Risk and Assurance Framework, ensuring the business, EDT, the board and ARAC have clear visibility of risk, mitigations and have assurance of internal controls, functional standards, and broader recognised corporate standards. You will lead and challenge corporate held risk

Leading oversight of whistleblowing, fraud and conduct standards, with a clear line to Chief Executive to manage serious concerns. You will also lead corporate learning for whistleblowing, conduct and employee relations

Fulfilling the role of the Data Protection Officer for the Environment Agency, providing impartial leadership assurance on our compliance with data legislation.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required 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 and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

You’ll be part of the Strategy, Planning and People Leadership Team within the Environment Agency’s new Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate, working closely with the Board, EDT and ARAC. Your direct team will play a pivotal role in ensuring a consistent EA approach to how we manage risk and assurance. As a senior leader you will also contribute to our inclusivity, diverse thinking and problem solving, and help create a life enhancing place to work.

With substantial experience of both policy and operational roles you will be:

An inclusive and strategic leader with an extensive track record in strategic leadership roles

An excellent communicator and influencer, capable of translating strategy into action and shaping business culture and direction

Politically aware and able to navigate in a complex organisation

Experienced in directing a range of teams and departments through periods of change or ambiguity

Excellent at facilitating problem solving and working through others to resolve issues at a strategic level

Someone with experience of managing sensitive and confidential issues, including those related to business delivery and conduct

Experienced in reputation management, with a successful track record of this at organisational level

Comfortable driving cultural change

We are committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We therefore particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), disabled, female and LGBT+.

As a national role, location is flexible. Travel to other Environment Agency offices is required as part of the role. This role is a permanent position.

For further information please contact: Rebecca.allen@environment-agency.gov.uk

Candidate assessments will take place using MS Teams w/c 29th April. These include a staff engagement panel. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

We will be running a virtual briefing session for those interested in applying for the role on 25th March. Invitations can be acquired by emailing: Rebecca.allen@environment-agency.gov.uk