Chief Operating Officer

Salary: Circa £130,000 per annum

Location: Flexible, regular travel to London is likely to be required

About our agency

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, tackling issues of national importance across a huge variety of disciplines. We’re grouped into 14 areas across England, and our responsibilities span major industry regulation, flood defences, land contamination, water quality, fisheries and conservation. Such a broad scope of work calls for diverse, multi-skilled teams and exceptional leadership: together, we’ll promote sustainable growth, tackle climate change and secure a better future for everyone.

Your role with us

We’re looking for a Chief Operating Officer who can make an invaluable addition to our executive team. You’ll take responsibility for the delivery of all national services and operations in England, but also define our overall strategy together with the Chief Executive and wider executive team.

You’ll also lead a team of directors and build a high performing workforce that can make our strategic vision a reality, which in turn will help the UK address climate change and deal with threats to local environments. Effective collaboration is key, and you’ll engage with the EA’s most senior stakeholders as well as develop a high-profile network of external relationships, including private organisations, environmental experts and government departments. 

Who we’re looking for

We need candidates with extensive leadership experience as an operational executive. You’ll have a strong record of company-wide service delivery, managing complex stakeholder arrangements and competing priorities.

Team management is also key, as you’ll manage senior leaders and also a diverse workforce that can expand our internal capabilities. An extensive knowledge of business services as well as environmental legislation are must-haves.

Your benefits with us

We pride ourselves on a sense of community and support. That goes for our careers, too – whatever your goals, we’ll support you with exceptional coaching and mentoring while giving you opportunities to thrive. And, as an Environment Agency employee, you’ll be able to take advantage of all kinds of benefits, including generous annual leave, flexible working, childcare and travel allowances, staff networks and clubs, onsite facilities and an award winning pension scheme.