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This post is an Environment Agency post at EA Grade Executive Director and at EA salary of £130,000 – £150,000. It is not a post at Civil Service Pay Band 3 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 Environment Agency plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing England’s environment – from improving water quality and tackling pollution, to building resilience to climate change and supporting sustainable economic growth. Working at the intersection of environment, economy and society, we are a national delivery body with over 13,000 employees committed to creating a better place for people and wildlife.

We are now seeking an exceptional leader to join our Executive Team as Executive Director, Strategy, Transformation & Assurance (STA). This is a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation, with responsibility for shaping strategic direction, driving transformation and ensuring the Agency operates as a high-performing, integrated and outcome-focused organisation.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Executive Director, STA will play a central role in aligning strategy with delivery across a large, complex and high-profile national organisation. Bringing together strategy, transformation, governance, assurance and oversight of corporate services, the postholder will ensure the organisation operates as a coherent system, with clear accountability and a sustained focus on outcomes for communities and the environment.

The role sits at the intersection of delivery and government. Operating in a politically sensitive and fast-evolving context, the successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive, Chair and Board to navigate competing priorities, support effective decision-making and maintain organisational focus and performance. Building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across government, including Defra, will be critical.

A key part of the role will be leading and coordinating organisational transformation - ensuring that change is prioritised, coherent and delivers meaningful improvements in capability, performance and efficiency. The Executive Director, STA will also provide leadership oversight of corporate services, ensuring these functions are aligned, effective and enable delivery, with a focus on integration rather than functional silos.

This is a broad and hands-on executive role, requiring a leader who can combine external influence with strong internal grip. You will be comfortable operating in ambiguity, able to exercise sound judgement in a complex environment, and focused on maintaining performance while driving long-term improvement.

We are looking for an outstanding leader with a strong track record of delivery in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will bring experience of working within or alongside government or regulated contexts, with the ability to navigate political priorities and public scrutiny. You will also have sufficient experience of transformation and corporate services to provide confident oversight and challenge, alongside a clear focus on operational outcomes and organisational performance.

The Environment Agency is committed to innovation, inclusion and transformation. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can perform at their best.

Person specification

The successful Executive Director, Strategy, Transformation & Assurance will possess:

Essential
• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation, with a track record of delivering operational outcomes through others.
• Strong political awareness and judgement, with experience operating effectively in a high-profile, politically sensitive and fast-changing environment.
• Experience of working within, alongside, or engaging with government and regulatory environments, with the ability to understand and respond to public policy and political priorities.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including government departments such as Defra, and to support senior leaders in managing political sensitivities and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated experience of delivering or enabling operational performance in an executive agency, local government, regulated sector or similarly outcome-focused environment, with a focus on accountability and grip.
• Sufficient experience of corporate services and/or transformation delivery (e.g. IT, HR, Finance, or business change) to provide confident oversight and challenge, without requiring deep functional specialism.
• Strong understanding of governance, assurance and accountability frameworks, with the ability to drive performance, clarity of roles and effective decision-making across a complex organisation.

Desirable
• Experience of working within the environmental sector, or on environmental or regulatory policy issues.
• Understanding of the Defra group and its operating context.
• Experience of working in a regulatory or delivery organisation subject to public and political scrutiny.
• Experience of improving or professionalising corporate or enabling functions within a complex organisation.
• Broad cross-functional experience, or deep expertise in a single function complemented by strong organisational understanding.

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

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Environment Agency on this appointment.

Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code OBRZO.

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter and complete the online equal opportunities monitoring* form.

The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 15th July 2026.

The equal opportunities monitoring online form will not be shared with anyone involved in assessing your application. Please complete as part of the application
process.

Role Briefing
Candidates will have the opportunity to find out more about the role via a virtual briefing session on 8th July at 14.00 – 15.00.

Joining Link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/315119897481655?p=S8Q7Ke8Ks1Hc78N2Wz
Meeting ID: 315 119 897 481 655
Passcode: x2xi2fV3

Please note that this not part of the formal assessment process; it is intended to give candidates the opportunity to learn more about the appointment and the Environment Agency.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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

£130,000 - £150,000 per year