Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

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

Job summary

The Environment Agency seeks a Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation to lead operational teams in delivering regulatory reforms. This role involves strategic leadership, collaboration with various stakeholders, and managing complex regulatory challenges to support a Net-Zero economy.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse teams.
• Experience delivering complex work programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of operational teams.
• Collaborate with government and industry for effective delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Negotiation

Change Management

Education

Professional Qualification

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 various market-based schemes. An ambitious government programme of regulatory reforms is expanding our duties, and our teams are growing to support 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 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.

This role requires providing strategic leadership and management of our specialist operational teams, which deliver high-impact services nationally and internationally. You will collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators to ensure effective delivery, lead on operational regulatory standards, and provide expert technical direction. Your excellent communication and problem-solving skills will facilitate effective stakeholder relationships, 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 bring strategic thinking, supportive team working, delegation, and negotiation skills. 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, fostering relationships across Operations and the wider organization.

The EM&R team, part of NRM within Operations, currently comprises five teams responsible for various regulatory sectors, employing around 550 staff with plans for growth. Our work involves close collaboration across Operations, Environment & Business, Legal Services, and government agencies.

Experience/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 commitments from Boards, policy groups, Defra, DESNZ, industry, and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent communication skills for briefing both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to manage priorities, influence, and deliver through 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 demands autonomy, translating policy into impactful delivery, and navigating complex environments to build trust with diverse stakeholders. A professional qualification in any discipline is preferred.

Additional Information

Responding to incidents is integral; you must be available to respond or support during incidents. Full training will be provided. Effective delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing teams nationwide. We value diversity and experience and encourage flexible working arrangements, including job sharing. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.

This role reports to Malcolm Lythgo, Director of Operations, NRM. A virtual briefing will be held on 28th May 2025, from 10-11 am. 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 Service status or continuous civil service rights. For more information on eligibility and support, please contact your HR department or visit the provided links.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications reflecting our communities. Please specify your preferred working arrangements in your application.