Enviroment Agency, Deputy Director Corporate Management, Assurance and Security – Secondment

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 2 weeks

Flexible

£81,000 per year

Job summary

This post is an Environment Agency post at EA Grade Deputy Director and at EA salary £81,000. It is not a post at Civil Service Pay Band 1 as indicated on the left -hand side bar of this advert. Further confirmation of the EA grade and terms and conditions can be found in the candidate pack

This is a vacancy working for the Environment Agency, part of Defra Group. EA are not Civil Servants so terms will reflect that. Anyone moving from the Civil Service will lose their CS terms and benefits starting new employment with the EA

Job description

The EA is seeking an exceptional senior leader to join its organisation as Deputy Director, Corporate Management, Assurance & Security (DD CMAS). This is a high-profile role at the heart of the EA’s organisational resilience, security and corporate governance, with responsibility for ensuring the Agency can operate safely, lawfully and effectively in the face of growing strategic, security and operational risks.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate and National Services, the DD CMAS brings together corporate management, assurance, security and business continuity into a single, integrated function. As the EA’s senior security lead, the postholder will provide authoritative leadership on physical, personnel, cyber and information security, including oversight of critical national infrastructure and preparedness for major disruption.

Alongside this, the role oversees the Agency’s corporate management interface with Defra group Corporate Services, providing assurance to the Accounting Officer, Board and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee on governance, performance, commercial, value for money and risk. The postholder will build strong partnerships across the EA and Defra group, acting as a trusted senior adviser and corporate conscience within a complex delivery landscape.

This is a demanding and influential leadership position requiring sound judgement, credibility and resilience under pressure. The successful candidate will be confident presenting complex risks and recommendations to Boards and senior committees, and adept at working across organisational boundaries to drive improvement and assurance at scale.

Person specification

Experience/skills required

Extensive senior leadership experience in security, including directing a security function or programme in a large, complex organisation, ideally within the public sector.
Proven track record of creating and delivering security strategies covering governance, risk management, assurance, communication and training.
Strong background in business continuity and organisational resilience, with the ability to improve maturity, rigorously test plans and embed resilience across the organisation.
Experience operating in high‑risk, high‑accountability environments, providing clear advice to senior leaders on complex security and organisational risks.
Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries, influencing and collaborating with senior stakeholders, including within other government departments.
Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing significant budgets at a senior level.
Excellent communication skills, sound judgement and the diplomacy required for a high‑profile role with wide senior engagement.
Passionate about developing others, innovative in approach, a strong team player, and highly organised to manage a demanding portfolio.

We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme, generous annual leave, with up to two days’ paid environmental outcome days each year, flexible working patterns to allow you to achieve a good work life balance, access to a number of employee networks and forums that support our employees and help us build an inclusive culture.

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

Closing date is 8 March 2026. Interviews will take place at 2 Marsham Street, London on 26March 2026.

This is a nine-month contract starting in early April 2026. Please confirm your availability to begin at that time or shortly thereafter.

For further information, please contact directorofcorporateandnationalservices@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Please use the apply button and complete your application on the Enviroment agency job site.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£81,000 per year