Operational Manager - 31714

Operational Manager - 31714
1
National
All
Staff Grade 7
Permanent
Business Management & Improvement
Full Time
£66,301

14/09/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
"We’re looking for an experienced and inspirational leader to lead the National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS).

NEAS primarily focus on enabling the environmental agency to deliver its capital and asset management programmes in as efficiently as possible in compliance with environmental legislation, policies and corporate priorities.
You will manage several strategic portfolios, lead your team through change and ensure day-to-day delivery in effectively prioritised and delivered.
We’re looking for an inclusive, collaborative, and driven leader that can lead teams through change whilst enabling and supporting a diverse workforce to thrive and deliver to the highest standards.
As well as being an experienced leader, you will have experience in project delivery in conformance with environmental legislation, policies & strategies. You will have a proven track record of working closely with & influencing; senior leaders, industry experts, delivery partners, and external stakeholders, achieving mutually beneficial outcomes at a strategic level.

Principal Accountabilities
The key accountabilities of the role are below:

• Lead a team of circa. 45 staff that are technical experts in environmental legislation, heritage, carbon, landscape architecture and biodiversity net gain.
• Lead proactive stakeholder management in a way that builds trust, fosters strong relationships & creates opportunities for collaboration
• Lead the setting of strategic priorities aligned to broader EA strategy and motivate your team to operationally deliver in an efficient manner.
• Lead, develop and embed a culture of effective continuous improvement, to optimise and support the changing needs of our business, our environment, and our stakeholders.
• Lead a culture of psychological safety that empowers confident decision making & enables innovation to thrive.
• The Environment Agency is currently navigating multiple change programmes from internal and external drivers. You will lead the planning and delivery of change into your team and across the relevant business relationships."
"You will join the Environmental Assurance & Reservoir Regulation (EARR) Department, which is part of the Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Directorate.

NEAS is a nationally dispersed team comprising of 140+ passionate, experienced and skilled people. Primarily we ensure that our capital and operational strategies and projects navigate environmental complexities as efficiently as possible.
You will work alongside two other Managers, ensuring close collaboration and one collective leadership team."
To excel in this prominent position, the following experience/ skills/ capabilities are expected for this role:

Significant experience in Project Delivery, Environmental Legislation, Environmental Policy or similar and relevant subject to Environmental Assessment.

Significant experience leading technical teams, setting and translating strategy into operational delivery.

You must have experience of driving a high-performance team culture and be a role model of personal accountability. You’ll facilitate psychological safety and prioritise people over process.

You’ll be innovative in your thinking, seeking opportunities for new collaborations and better use of our data.

You’ll be confident taking risk based, proportionate decisions at pace whilst removing barriers to delivery.

You’ll be comfortable operating in uncertainty and confident communicating complex issues with conviction and clarity to senior internal and external colleagues.

You’ll be able to build consensus, influencing both internal and external senior level stakeholders to make the best choices for the environment and our business.
"At the Environment Agency we aspire for inclusivity in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute.

The team is nationally dispersed across the country. Some travel required with occasional overnight stays. The role can be fulfilled via hybrid working. We support flexible working patterns.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises.

Please download the candidate pack for full details including how to apply.

For those interested in applying that would like more information, please contact the recruiting manager Lee Meaden lee.meaden@environment-agency.gov.uk

Assessments will take place on Microsoft Teams week commencing 29th September. Assessments will comprise a panel interview and a staff engagement exercise."
Leads People
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: Please give an example of when you have successfully led a team during prolonged uncertainty and complexity. How did you create clarity, ensure strategic alignment and ensure a healthy team culture?

"PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview."
Develops People
Makes sure team members have the skills, knowledge and experience to successfully carry out their current role and to develop into future roles

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

"Question: Please give an example of when you have created a continuous improvement team environment. How did this benefit the business and industry sector you were operating in?

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.
Manages Change
Understands role in leading change. Successfully leads change in own team.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Question: Please give an example of how you overcame resistance and ensured strategic alignment to corporate objectives when leading a significant change initiative.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.
Manages Self
Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role in the Environment Agency.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Question: Please describe how you maintain a healthy self-awareness of development needs and how you take responsibility for your ongoing personal development.
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.