Deputy Director, Change and Continuous Improvement

Have you got the passion, knowledge and determination to improve England’s environment? We’re strengthening our leadership team within our Environment & Business (E&B) Directorate by recruiting a Deputy Director to lead our work on change and continuous improvement.

This is a stretching and highly rewarding position. In this role you will design and ensure the delivery of change and continuous improvement programmes, achieving efficiencies and other benefits for the Environment Agency. You will work with others across the E&B directorate to design and deliver a business improvement programme, covering areas such as strategy, governance, and skills development, and establish a new portfolio management office. You will also lead on providing a range of business services across the directorate including project and programme management and business administration.

We are looking for a leader who is an outstanding communicator, who can build and develop relationships, gain support for their ideas, and bring people with them. You will understand complex political environments and seek to understand the requirements of others, looking for common ground. You will engage and collaborate with senior stakeholders across the Environment Agency, 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.
The Environment Agency is driving towards a more agile workforce. We are recruiting to Deputy Director for Change and Continuous Improvement, but this role will develop and if appropriate, you may be asked to take on different leadership roles in time.

The team  

This role will lead a diverse team of between 40 and 70 staff, comprising policy, programme and project, and technical specialists. Our people have varied experiences, backgrounds and approaches, and you will lead your team in being responsive and flexible to changing priorities, in a fast-paced environment.

You will report to the Director of Strategy and Programmes and play an active role as a member of your Leadership Team.

Experience/skills required  

- Developing strategies and delivery plans, with the ability to make decisions by assessing a wide range of information and advice.
- Proven ability to translate strategy into action and ensure that vision is grounded in an organisational context.
- Proven experience of designing and ensuring the delivery of change and continuous improvement programmes.
- Proven experience of working under pressure and at pace, and re-prioritising resources.
- Ability to present strategic positions and guide senior leaders and stakeholders in a confident, engaging and compelling way.
- 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 and budget management.

Contact and additional information  

This is a permanent role, but we would also welcome candidates who would consider a 2-year secondment from their current organisation.

For an invitation to the candidate briefing call, please contact Elise.safar@environment-agency.gov.uk
Assessments will take place in central London, in person, on Friday 14 March 2025. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

This role can be based at any Environment Agency office, with travel and overnight stays expected.
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. Full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

Applications here.