Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Environment Agency; Farnham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency is seeking a Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation to lead teams in delivering regulatory reforms aimed at achieving a circular and Net-Zero economy. This role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and managing complex operational challenges within a diverse and growing team.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Guaranteed Interview Policy for disabled candidates

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership in large, diverse teams.
• Experience delivering complex work programmes.
• Ability to influence senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of operational teams.
• Collaborate with government and industry stakeholders.
• Translate regulatory policy into impactful delivery.

Skills

Operational leadership

Communication skills

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Professional qualification in any discipline

Job description

Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

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Job Description

The Environment Agency is committed to delivering a more circular and Net-Zero economy by reducing waste and carbon emissions through the regulation of various market-based schemes. An ambitious government programme of regulatory reforms is 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 manage National Income Services.

We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of both emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reforms and increasing environmental ambitions.

As we navigate transitions to new regulatory policies, we seek a leader to provide strategic leadership and management of our operational teams, which deliver services with significant national and international impact. You will collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators to ensure effective delivery, lead on operational regulatory standards, activities, 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 activities.

Your leadership will promote health, safety, wellbeing, continuous improvement, and diversity, equality, and inclusion. You will demonstrate strategic thinking, connect operational ways of working with team support, delegation, and negotiation skills.

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

The team:

Environmental Markets & Regulation operates within National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) in Operations. It consists of five teams responsible for regulating Producer Responsibility Waste markets, Climate markets, National Income Services, and Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, and Carriers, Brokers, and Dealers. Currently comprising around 550 staff, with plans to grow, the team works closely with Environment & Business, Legal Services, and government bodies.

Experience/Skills Required

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

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

Contact and Additional Information

Responding to incidents is central to our work. You must be available to respond to incidents or support business continuity during incidents. Full training will be provided.

Strong delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing specialist teams nationwide. We value diversity and encourage flexible working arrangements. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

This role reports to Malcolm Lythgo, Director of Operations, National Regulation & Monitoring. A virtual briefing will be held on 28th May 2025, 10-11am. To attend, contact Malcolm’s PA at [e-mail]. Virtual interviews are scheduled for 28th & 29th July 2025.

Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; employment does not confer Crown Servant status or continuous service. Eligibility for redundancy calculation depends on current employment status. For questions, contact your HR department.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome flexible working and job share options. We guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria.

As a Non-Departmental Public Body, we use government frameworks for external recruitment and do not engage directly via post, email, or phone. For becoming a supplier, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier.