Chief Executive Officer

Natural England

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Environmental

Full time

£130,000 per year

Job summary

As the Government’s adviser on the natural environment, Natural England plays a central role in shaping a more sustainable, resilient and prosperous future for England. Established under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, we are responsible for conserving, enhancing and managing the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, while supporting sustainable development and economic growth.

Our remit is broad and vital. We promote nature conservation and protect biodiversity; conserve and enhance landscapes; improve access to and enjoyment of the natural environment; and support social and economic wellbeing through effective environmental stewardship. From advising farmers and land managers, to enabling responsible development, designating protected landscapes, and safeguarding England’s most valuable habitats and species, our work sits at the heart of national priorities.

Nature underpins our economy, health and security. Yet it faces unprecedented pressure. Addressing this requires not only protection, but large-scale recovery and regeneration. Through our strategy - Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security - we are driving four key outcomes: recovering nature at scale; building greener, healthier places; improving public wellbeing through access to nature; and strengthening national resilience to climate and environmental risks.

Working in partnership is fundamental to our success. We collaborate with government, local authorities, businesses, farmers, environmental organisations and communities across England to deliver lasting impact.

Job description

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead Natural England through a critical period of transformation and delivery. Reporting to the Chair and serving as Accounting Officer, the CEO will be responsible for the organisation’s overall leadership, performance and governance, overseeing around 2,600 staff and a budget of c.£330 million.

This is a demanding and high-profile role. You will lead organisational transformation, embed our strategic priorities, and ensure we deliver effectively against statutory duties and government objectives. You will also build strong partnerships across the Defra group and beyond, championing innovation, operational excellence and evidence-based decision-making.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a national organisation at the forefront of environmental recovery and sustainable growth, shaping the future of England’s natural environment for generations to come.

Person specification

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Natural England on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OBYWA. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 11th May.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £130,000, Natural England contributes £37,661 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

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Salary range

£130,000 per year