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15/02/2026, 23:55 hours
If you’re part of the Environment Agency (EA), you’re part of the solution. Working with us means protecting and improving the environment for generations to come. Such a broad scope of work calls for diverse, multi-skilled teams and exceptional leadership.
We’re looking for a Deputy Director to confidently lead our Sustainable Business Team, this role sits within our Corporate and National Services Directorate.
You will be responsible for managing a budget of circa. £2.1m while managing the reputation of the Environment Agency and Defra.
As consumers/partners become further aware of the ever-growing impact on our climate and the impact they are having on the environment, a growth in sustainable business has risen exponentially over the last few years.
Alongside this external awareness, the Environment Agency has pledged to be net zero carbon by 2045-50 and with this we need strong, decisive leadership to drive the sustainability agenda across the EA.
This role will be accountable for ensuring delivery of the EA’s sustainability strategy: eMission, which includes the Environment Agency’s commitment to be Net zero carbon by 2045-50, and for assuring the performance of the business on sustainability to Executive Directors and the Board which includes ISO 14001 accreditation
The role will provide professional services to the organisation to support compliance, performance and delivery of corporate ambition on sustainability. This involves working with senior leaders across the breadth of the organisation and Defra corporate services (potentially wider) to ensure sustainability is integrated across the business
Responding to incidents is central to what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity during an incident. Full training will be available.
Key responsibilities:
A relevant professional qualification, such as membership of the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), is desirable.
For further information please contact: Katie Bonnett, Business Manager, Corporate and National Services at; directorofcorporateandnationalservices@environment-agency.gov.uk
There will be some national travel required, Bristol, Birmingham, London and other key sites.
Candidate Assessments will take place face to face. These may include a staff engagement panel. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
We will be running a virtual candidate briefing session for those interested in applying for the role on 5th February at 3pm. Invitations can be acquired by emailing: directorofcorporateandnationalservices@environment-agency.gov.uk . We will also be recording this session should you need this.
Interviews will likely take place week beginning 16th March 2026.
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.