Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

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

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation to provide strategic leadership and manage specialist operational teams. The role involves collaborating with stakeholders, delivering high-impact services, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Ideal candidates will have proven leadership experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex programmes effectively.

Benefits

Flexible working

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants

Qualifications

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse teams.
• Experience delivering complex programmes and managing change.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Negotiation

Teamwork

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 regulation of various market-based schemes. Due to an ambitious government reform programme, we are expanding our teams to implement new duties and 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 seeking a permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and environmental goals.

This role requires providing strategic leadership and management of specialist operational teams that deliver high-impact services nationally and internationally. You will collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators, leading operational standards, activities, and offering expert regulatory guidance. Your excellent communication and problem-solving skills will foster effective relationships with stakeholders, manage expectations, and champion compliance activities.

Your leadership will promote health, safety, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. You should bring strategic thinking, effective teamwork, delegation, and negotiation skills.

You will contribute to wider agency goals through participation in the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) Leadership Team and the Operations Executive Group, building relationships across the organization to ensure continued delivery and impact.

The EM&R team, part of NRM within Operations, currently comprises five teams managing diverse regulatory functions with around 550 staff, set to grow. We work closely with other departments, legal services, and government partners.

Experience/Skills Required

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience delivering complex programmes and implementing new operational methods.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitment across various bodies including Boards, government departments, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of briefing technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver through others.
• Experience managing change and navigating political and regulatory challenges.
• Ability to translate complex technical and data insights into clear, meaningful outcomes for stakeholders.

The role involves operating autonomously, translating policy into impactful delivery, and representing the organization effectively in complex environments. A professional qualification in any discipline is preferred.

Additional Information

Responding to incidents is a core aspect of this role, and you will be expected to respond or support during incidents, with full training provided. Strong delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing teams across the country.

This position reports to Malcolm Lythgo, Director of Operations, NRM. A virtual briefing will be held on 28th May 2025, 10-11am. To attend, contact Charlotte Gardener at [e-mail]. Virtual interviews are scheduled for 28th & 29th July 2025.

Note: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; therefore, appointment does not confer Crown status or continuous service. Eligibility for redundancy payments may vary based on current employment status. We support flexible working and are committed to diversity and inclusion, including guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants.