Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Environment Agency; New Forest; 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 overseeing various regulatory schemes. This role involves strategic leadership, collaboration with stakeholders, and managing complex regulatory environments to achieve environmental goals. Candidates should demonstrate strong operational leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to inclusivity.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse teams.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitment.
• Experience managing change and navigating political challenges.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Operational leadership

Communication

Change management

Negotiation

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 regulating a range of market-based schemes. An ambitious government programme of regulatory reforms is expanding our duties, and our teams are growing to accommodate these changes. 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 an additional permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of both emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and increasing environmental ambitions.

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 deliver through others, lead on operational regulatory standards, and provide expert technical regulatory direction. 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 should bring strategic thinking, support team collaboration, delegation, and negotiation skills.

While providing inclusive leadership within your team, 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 strong relationships across Operations and the broader organization is essential to ensure we meet our commitments to the community.

The team:

Environmental Markets & Regulation is part of the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) division within Operations. It currently comprises five teams responsible for various regulatory areas, including Producer Responsibility Waste markets, Climate markets, National Income Service, and regulation of Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, Carriers, Brokers, and Dealers. The team has approximately 550 staff and is expected to grow. We work closely with other parts of Operations, Environment & Business, Legal Services, and government partners.

Experience/Skills Required

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

The 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.

Contact and Additional Information

Responding to incidents is central to our work. You will be expected to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support, with full training provided.

Excellent delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing teams across the country. We value diversity and experience, which enhance our organizational capabilities.

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

Additional Notes: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; therefore, appointment does not confer Crown Servant status or continuous service. Applicants from local government or other bodies may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes. For clarification, contact your HR department.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working arrangements, including job sharing. Please specify your preferred working arrangements in your application.

We guarantee an interview to applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, supporting our commitment to inclusivity.

The Environment Agency uses government frameworks for external recruitment and does not engage directly via post, email, or phone. For support or to become a supplier, visit here.