Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Environment Agency; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agency is seeking a Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation to provide strategic leadership and manage specialist teams. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure effective regulatory delivery and fostering a culture of health, safety, and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible Working Arrangements

Guaranteed Interview Policy for Applicants with Disabilities

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse teams.
• Excellent communication skills to brief technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of specialist operational teams.
• Collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Negotiation

Strategic Thinking

Education

Professional Qualification

Job description

Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

The Environment Agency is delivering a more circular and Net-Zero economy by reducing waste and carbon through regulating a range of market-based schemes. An ambitious Government programme of regulatory reforms means we are expanding our duties, and our teams are growing to support these new regimes. The Environmental Markets & Regulation (EM&R) team in Operations oversees the regulation of schemes including Producer Responsibility Waste markets, Carbon Markets, Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, Carriers, Brokers and Dealers, and International Waste Shipments. They also deliver National Income Services.

We are recruiting an additional permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and increasing environmental ambition.

As we navigate transitions to new regulatory policies, we seek a leader to provide strategic leadership and management of our specialist operational teams, which deliver services with high national and international impact. You will collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators to ensure effective delivery, lead on operational regulatory standards, and provide expert technical guidance. Your excellent communication and problem-solving skills will foster effective relationships with stakeholders, manage expectations, and champion our regulatory and compliance efforts.

Your leadership will promote health, safety, wellbeing, continuous improvement, and diversity, equality, and inclusion. You should bring strategic thinking, supportive team working, delegation, and negotiation skills.

While leading inclusively, you will contribute to the wider goals of the Agency through the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) Leadership Team and the Operations Executive Group, building strong relationships across Operations and the broader organization to ensure ongoing success.

The EM&R team, within National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM), currently comprises five teams managing various regulatory areas, with approximately 550 staff, set to grow. We work closely with Operations, Environment & Business, Legal Services, and government partners.

Experience and Skills Required

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience delivering complex work programmes and implementing new ways of working through others.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitment across Boards, policy groups, Defra, DESNZ, industry, and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent communication skills to brief both technical and non-technical audiences effectively.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, influence, and deliver through others.
• Experience managing change and navigating high-profile political and regulatory challenges.
• Ability to translate complex technical and data-driven insights into clear, meaningful outcomes for stakeholders.

This role requires autonomy, translating regulatory policy into impactful delivery, and navigating complex political and regulatory environments to build trust with diverse stakeholders. A professional qualification in any discipline is preferred.

Additional Information

Responding to incidents is central to our work. You will be expected to participate in incident roles and provide business continuity support as needed, with full training provided.

Effective delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing specialist teams nationwide. We value diversity and encourage flexible working arrangements, including job sharing. Please specify your preferences in your application.

We offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses government frameworks for external recruitment. To learn more about becoming a support supplier, visit this link.

Additional Details

• Seniority level: Executive
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Management and Manufacturing