Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Environment Agency; Stafford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 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 for a Net-Zero economy. This role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and navigating complex regulatory challenges, promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Job sharing opportunities

Guaranteed interviews for applicants with disabilities

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse teams.
• Experience delivering complex work programmes.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of operational teams.
• Collaborate with government and industry to ensure effective delivery.
• Champion health, safety, wellbeing, diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Skills

Operational leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Change management

Negotiation

Education

Professional qualification in any discipline

Job description

Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Job Description

The Environment Agency is working towards a more circular and Net-Zero economy by reducing waste and carbon emissions through regulating various market-based schemes. Due to an ambitious Government programme of regulatory reforms, our teams are expanding to accommodate new duties. 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 seeking to recruit a permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and increasing environmental ambition.

The role involves 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 standards, and offer expert technical regulatory guidance. Your communication and problem-solving skills will foster strong relationships with stakeholders, manage expectations, and promote compliance activities.

You will champion health, safety, wellbeing, diversity, equality, and inclusion within your team. Strategic thinking, supportive leadership, delegation, and negotiation skills are essential. Additionally, you will 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 the organization.

The EM&R team, part of National Regulation & Monitoring within Operations, currently comprises five teams managing various market sectors and regulatory functions, with approximately 550 staff and plans for growth. The team collaborates closely with other parts of 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 through others and implementing new working methods.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitments across various bodies including Boards, policy groups, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and influence outcomes.
• 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 environments. A professional qualification in any discipline is preferred.

Contact and Additional Information

Responding to incidents is a key part of the role. You must be available to respond to incidents or support business continuity, with full training provided.

Strong delegation and remote leadership skills are necessary to manage teams nationwide. We value diversity and encourage flexible working arrangements, including job sharing. We also guarantee interviews for applicants with disabilities meeting minimum criteria.

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 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, so employment does not confer Crown Servant status or continuous service, except for some local government employees as per regulations.

We promote a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working. For support with applications, including those with disabilities, please see our policies. External recruitment is managed via government frameworks; direct engagement outside these channels is not possible.