32399 - Deputy Director, Asset Operations Services

Environment Agency; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Deputy Director for Asset Operations Services. The role involves leading a team of 35 professionals to develop national guidance for asset management, ensuring effective operations, incident response, and resilience to climate change. Candidates should have experience in senior asset management roles in safety-critical organizations and excellent communication skills. A professional qualification is desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior accountable asset management or engineering role in a major infrastructure or safety-critical organisation.
• Demonstrated strategic oversight of asset operation, maintenance, and contingency planning.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of national guidance, systems and services for asset operation.
• Ensure infrastructure resilience and support local asset operators.
• Respond to incidents and provide business continuity support during incidents.

Skills

Strategic oversight of asset operation

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Leading multidisciplinary teams

Understanding of UK infrastructure policy

Education

Professional qualification in relevant institution (e.g. IAM, CIWEM, ICE)

Job description

The Deputy Director, Asset Operations Services, is a senior leadership role within the Environment Agency’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management Directorate. This postholder will lead the development and delivery of national guidance, systems, and services that support safe, effective, and sustainable asset operation, maintenance, and incident response across England.

You will be responsible for shaping the agency’s approach to operational asset management, including reservoir safety, navigation services, and contingency planning. You will lead improvements to digital tools, standards, and training that support local asset operators, maintainers, and responders—ensuring that our infrastructure is resilient and our people are equipped to act safely and decisively.

Leading a team of around 35 professionals, including 8 direct report managers, you will foster a collaborative and inclusive culture that supports technical excellence, innovation, and shared accountability. You will play a key role in maintaining the Environment Agency’s technical credibility, influencing national standards, and supporting the Chief Engineer in advising executive leadership on safety, corporate, and reputational risks.

This role is central to shaping the future of operational asset management in the Environment Agency—ensuring our systems, services, and people are prepared for the challenges of climate change, infrastructure ageing, and evolving regulatory expectations.

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. This may attract an additional payment. Full training and flexible alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.

The Environment Agency values difference. That is why we are fully committed to being an inclusive employer. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it and live it—for the benefit of our staff, our communities and our environment.

The team

One of three Deputy Directors reporting to the Chief Engineer/ Director Standards, Asset Management and Engineering, this team leads the development and delivery of national asset operations services. Comprising around 35 specialists across asset operation, maintenance, and incident response, the team works in close partnership with engineering, incident management, and local operations colleagues. The culture is inclusive, collaborative, and focused on delivering safe and sustainable infrastructure outcomes through practical guidance, digital innovation, and shared accountability.

Experience/skills required

You will have held a senior accountable asset management or engineering role in a major infrastructure or safety‑critical organisation. You must demonstrate strategic oversight of asset operation, maintenance, and contingency planning, alongside excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering national programmes is essential. You will have a deep understanding of UK infrastructure policy, asset management standards, and statutory frameworks. Familiarity with reservoir safety, navigation services, and digital transformation is highly desirable.

A professionally qualification with a relevant institution (e.g. IAM, CIWEM, ICE, or equivalent) such as Chartered status / Fellowship is desirable but not essential.