Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

Environment Agency; Warmley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Environment Agency seeks a Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation to lead regulatory initiatives and manage diverse teams. This role involves strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and navigating complex regulatory environments, contributing to a Net-Zero economy. Ideal candidates will possess strong operational leadership, communication skills, and a professional qualification.

Benefits

Flexible working

Commitment to diversity

Guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and manage specialist operational teams.
• Collaborate with government and industry stakeholders.
• Translate policy into impactful delivery.

Skills

Operational leadership

Communication skills

Change management

Problem-solving

Negotiation skills

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 various market-based schemes. An ambitious government reform program is expanding our duties, leading to team growth to support these new regimes. The Environmental Markets & Regulation (EM&R) team in Operations oversees the regulation of schemes such as 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 to appoint an additional permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and increasing environmental ambitions.

As we transition to new regulatory policies, we need a leader to provide strategic leadership and manage our specialist operational teams, which deliver services with high national and international impact. You will collaborate with government, industry, and partner regulators to ensure effective delivery, lead on operational regulatory standards, and offer expert technical guidance. Your excellent communication and advanced 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 & inclusion. You will bring strategic thinking, support team working, delegation, and negotiation skills.

While providing inclusive leadership, you will also contribute to the wider goals of the Agency through the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) Leadership Team and the Operations Executive Group, fostering relationships across Operations and the broader organization to ensure ongoing delivery for the Agency and community.

The team:

• Environmental Markets & Regulation is part of the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) in Operations.
• It comprises 5 teams responsible for regulation of Producer Responsibility Waste markets, Climate markets, National Income Service, and Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, Carriers, Brokers, and Dealers.
• Currently approximately 550 staff, with plans for growth.

Experience/Skills Required

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience delivering complex work programs and implementing new ways of working through others.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and secure commitment across Boards, policy groups, Defra, DESNZ, industry, and other regulators.
• Excellent communication skills for briefing 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 requires autonomous operation, translating policy into impactful delivery, and navigating complex political and regulatory environments to build trust with stakeholders. A professional qualification in any discipline is preferred.

Contact and Additional Information

Responding to incidents is central; you will be expected to participate in incident response and business continuity, with full training provided.

Strong delegation and remote leadership skills are essential for managing teams nationwide. We value diversity and inclusive leadership.

This role reports to Malcolm Lythgo, Director of Operations, NRM. 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; employment does not confer Crown status. Check your eligibility for continuous service if applicable. We support flexible working and are committed to diversity, including guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants.