Reporting & Governance Manager - 36450

Environment Agency; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Agency is recruiting a Reporting and Governance Senior Advisor for the Water Reform Programme. This national, hybrid role sits in the Programme Management Office, supporting governance, reporting and assurance across ten workstreams.

You will lead a team of Project Support Officers, enable programme decisions, manage risks, and shape how the programme is governed, tracked and delivered.

Qualifications

• Experience or qualification in project, programme or portfolio management.
• Strong governance and assurance capabilities with data‑driven reporting.
• Proven ability to lead teams and communicate complex information clearly.

Responsibilities

• Governance oversight: refine governance to align with Defra and EA programmes; manage risk and decision making across workstreams.
• Portfolio reporting oversight: develop standardised tools and produce high‑quality, actionable reports for senior leaders.
• Business assurance: oversee resourcing, finances and team capability; ensure policy compliance and timely escalation of risks.

Skills

Governance frameworks

Stakeholder management

Data interpretation

Communication skills

Team leadership

Power BI reporting

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Key skills

• Excellent analytical, stakeholder management and communication skills
• Understanding how to design, implement and maintain governance structures
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Confidence working with large datasets and producing high-quality reports.

Desirable skills and experience

• Be able to use Power BI reporting to build reports
• Experience writing business cases

Job Description

We’re recruiting a Reporting and Governance Senior Advisor for the Water Reform Programme, which will soon move into the E&B Directorate. The role sits within the Programme Management Office, reports to the Programme Manager and oversees the Project Support Officers.

The role provides assurance to the Programme Board that work is strategically aligned and delivered effectively. It supports ten workstreams, strengthens decision‑making and provides evidence to manage risks and opportunities across the water reform landscape.

This is an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in a complex, cross‑Defra and EA environment. You will help shape wider water reform governance, reporting, senior engagement and assurance.

You will shape how the programme is governed, tracked and delivered. This strategic, hands‑on role leads a team of Project Support Officers, enables programme decisions, manages risks and opportunities, and oversees key deliverables.

Key responsibilities

• Governance Oversight: Improve the governance framework to reflect the wider Defra landscape, streamline business‑as‑usual governance and value subject‑matter expertise. Ensure effective oversight, risk management and decision‑making across workstreams and related activities.
• Portfolio Reporting Oversight: Develop standardised reporting tools and templates that improve consistency, accuracy and clarity. Produce high‑quality reports with actionable insights for senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Business Assurance: Oversee resourcing, finances, and team skills and capability. Assure compliance with organisational policies and ensure risks are escalated and managed promptly.

The team

You’ll be part of the Strategic Design and Transition Programme (SDTP), a high‑profile programme leading the Environment Agency's response to water sector reform and the creation of a new water regulator. Working within the Programme Management Office, you’ll join a collaborative and motivated team that supports programme governance, delivery and assurance. We offer a friendly, inclusive and rewarding working environment where professional development is actively encouraged.

Experience / skills required

You will understand the importance of governance structures, which define who makes decisions, how decisions are made, and who is accountable. You will be comfortable working with data and be confident to communicate complex information in an appropriate way across all levels of the business. You will be able to work comfortably in a collaborative and inclusive way to support others through change.

Essential skills

• Experience or qualification in Project, Programme or Portfolio Management
• Excellent analytical, stakeholder management and communication skills
• Understanding how to design, implement and maintain governance structures
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Confidence working with large datasets and producing high‑quality reports.

Desirable skills and experience

• Be able to use Power BI reporting to build reports
• Experience writing business cases

Contact and additional information

We are a Category‑1 responder, and all staff are required to take on an incident role. You will be given appropriate training and support to find a role that suits your role and situation.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible/hybrid, however some travel and overnights may be required.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity or for additional information, please contact Ben Robinson ([e-mail]) or Rebecca Atkinson ([e-mail]).

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews are anticipated to be held in November. As part of the interview process there will be an additional assessment, if selected for interview these details will be sent closer to the time.

Length of contract Up to 12 Months

Competence 1 Data and Information Management

Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage

In terms of portfolio, programme and project management, describe what information you provide to the business on a regular basis. What processes or governance have you introduced to ensure the information is accurate, relevant to your customers and produced in a timely manner?

Competence 2 Achieves Results

Please describe a time when you were unable to meet a deadline or target. How did you decide and communicate this, and what did you do to manage the impacts? Did you learn anything from this?

Competence 3 Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision or solve a complex problem with incomplete or conflicting information. How did you assess the evidence, involve others, consider risks and options, and reach your decision? What action did you take, and what was the outcome?

Competence 4 Influences and Persuades Others

Describe a time when you needed to influence people with different priorities or perspectives to support a course of action. How did you understand their concerns, tailor your approach, build agreement and respond to challenge or resistance? What was the outcome, and what did you learn?

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non‑Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non‑departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.