Deputy Director Monitoring Insight & Innovation - 28814

Have you got the skills, expertise and determination to transform the way we collect and analyse information to deliver more for the environment? We’re looking for a talented individual to deliver the strategic direction the Environment Agency needs to achieve a step change in the volume, quality and accessibility of information about the state of the environment.

We’re strengthening our leadership team within our Environment & Business Directorate by creating a new Deputy Director for Monitoring Insight & Innovation. Working to the Chief Scientist, this role will lead an Environment Agency wide transformative programme of work. This is a stretching and highly rewarding role that will provide a key contribution to our thinking about the role of the Environment Agency as a source of trusted information.

With a solid experience of monitoring or information and analysis within the organisation, you must understand the importance of managing the business to support and drive delivery.

We want leaders who are brilliant communicators, who can build and develop relationships, and bring people along with them. You will understand complex political environments and seek to understand others and look for the common ground. You’ll engage and collaborate across the organisation, and with senior stakeholders across government, industry, environmental groups and communities.

At the Environment Agency, how we do things is just as important as what we do. You’ll lead by example and contribute to a workplace culture where staff can be themselves and thrive. You’ll have emotional intelligence and resilience, and lead with a collaborative attitude and commitment to creating an inclusive culture.

This role will lead diverse teams of around 30 direct staff, comprising programme and project and technical specialists, as well as a wider group of staff dedicated to the programme from across the Environment Agency. You will lead and support your team in being responsive and flexible to changing priorities, in a fast-paced environment.

You will report to the Chief Scientist, playing an active role as a member of the Chief Scientist’s Group Leadership Team.

• Demonstrable success in developing strategies and delivery plans, with the ability to make decisions by assessing a wide range of information and advice.
• Proven experience of working under pressure and at pace, and re-prioritising resources.
• Ability to present strategic corporate positions, guiding our senior leaders and to senior stakeholders in a confident and in an articulate manner.
• Forge and maintain strong relationships with partners, stakeholders and customers to strengthen engagement and build partnerships.
• A visible leader and role model with progressive attitudes and behaviours, resilience, a collaborative “can-do” attitude, and commitment to creating an inclusive culture.  
• Financial, programme and budget management.

This role in the Chief Scientist’s Group does not require you to be from a specific technical profession, but you should have a good understanding of the data, science and evidence landscape that is of relevance to the work of the Environment Agency.

For an informal conversation about this role or an invitation to a virtual briefing session, please contact Rebecca Allen: rebecca.allen@environment-agency.gov.uk. The briefing sessions will be recorded, and these will also be available through Rebecca.

Assessments will take place on Microsoft Teams during the fortnight beginning 13 May 2024. These will include a staff engagement panel. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

This role can be based at any Environment Agency office but with regular travel and overnight stays expected. To be based in our London office you will require an enhanced security check, which requires a minimum of 3 years UK residency.

This role is being advertised as part of a wider Director recruitment campaign. Please see our jobs page for other vacancies.