Senior Project Manager - 32382

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A public body focused on environmental management seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead projects aimed at reducing flood risks. The role entails building effective teams, managing stakeholder relationships, and making key project decisions. Candidates should possess significant project delivery experience within engineering or construction, alongside a relevant degree. The position offers generous benefits, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous pension provision

Flexible working practices

Excellent training opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in project delivery, ideally within engineering or construction.
• A track record of delivering results in technically challenging projects.
• Ability to lead and develop project teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver innovative projects that reduce flood risks.
• Build effective working environments with high-performing teams.
• Develop stakeholder relationships for consents and approvals.

Skills

Project delivery experience

Contract management

Engineering knowledge

Leadership ability

Education

Degree in engineering, environmental or geography related discipline

Job description

Senior Project Manager - 32382

Number of jobs available: 3

• Region: East Midlands, East of England, South East
• City/Town: Ipswich, Norwich, Peterborough, Reading, Welwyn Garden City
• Building/Site: DEFRA GRP DRAGONFLY HOUSE, NR3 1UB, DEFRA GRP EA ALCHEMY, AL7 1HE, DEFRA GRP EA FOBNEY MEAD OFFICE, RG2 0HP, DEFRA GRP EA ICENI HOUSE, IP3 9JD, DEFRA GRP QUAY HOUSE, PE2 8YY
• Grade: Staff Grade 6
• Post Type: Permanent
• Role Type: Programme and Project Management
• Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours, Other
• Salary Minimum: £54,940
• Closing Date: 04/01/2026, 23:55 hours

Job description

At the Environment Agency (EA) we value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a company which embraces difference and welcomes everyone. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead and deliver exciting, innovative projects that reduce the risk of flooding to communities and enhance the environment.

This role sits in Projects & Programme Delivery (PPD) and is a senior position within our integrated project teams, taking responsibility for the delivery of projects as the Client project manager, or accountability as project executive. You will be a dedicated mentor and hold a business portfolio in an area you are passionate about.

You will build an effective working environment with high performing teams including suppliers, client representatives, technical specialists and other partners. Applying your strong commercial acumen in project, contract and risk management, you will establish effective relationships and facilitate collaborative and efficient ways of working. You will make key project decisions informed by technical leads whilst following governance procedures, project assurance and legislation.

The ability to develop a resilient network of relationships with stakeholders such as statutory authorities, landowners and local communities to negotiate agreements, consents and approvals is crucial.

Responding to incidents is a central part of what the EA does. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. Supporting incident response may attract an additional payment as well as facilitating further career development as it gives you the opportunity to see how other parts of the business works. Full training and alternative working arrangements are available to support you with your incident role.

Resources and team

We are Project and Programme Delivery (PPD), creating a better place through excellence in project and programme management.

Our teams provide the Environment Agency with a professional project and programme management service. Our well qualified staff manage projects throughout their lifecycle to deliver flood risk management, environmental improvements, and shared ownership with local communities.

Although dispersed through offices across the region we create collaborative spaces to share learning and develop our people.

Experience & skills required

Skills essential for the role:

• Significant experience in project delivery and contract management, ideally within engineering, construction and/or flood & coastal risk management.
• A track record for delivering results in technically challenging projects through coordination of a technical team to be demonstrated.
• Ability to lead and develop project teams bringing strategic thinking which improves processes and team behaviours.
• A degree (or equivalent) in an engineering, environmental or geography related discipline.

Skills desirable for the role:

• Experience as a Project Executive, holding accountability for a programme of work.
• Chartered membership of a professional body such as ICE, CIWEM or APMP.
• Technical expertise in areas such as hydrology, river modelling, feasibility assessment, asset management, business case development, cost monitoring/forecasting, scope preparation, CDM, engineering design and construction.

Capabilities to be demonstrated by this role include:

• Programme & Project Management
• Leads People
• Focuses on Customers and Partners
• Communicates Effectively

Contact and additional information

Benefits include generous pension provision, leave entitlement and flexible working practices to support work/life balance. Excellent training and learning opportunities are available, including personal and professional development.

Please state your preferred office location when applying.

The role will require regular travel to sites and meetings in other offices; overnight stays may be required.

A driving licence is required due to remote sites.

Please read the candidate pack - How to apply - Environment Agency

Capability dictionary - https://www.calameo.com/read/004433680aab41adf893b

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

You must have the right to work in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

For further information please contact: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Interviews are anticipated to be w/c 26/01/2026

#LI-DNI

Competence 1: Programme and Project Management

Description: Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.

Question: Tell us about a project or a programme of work that you have led or had senior involvement with. Tell us about how you have actively managed the programme.

PLEASE NOTE: 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.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

Competence 2: Leads People

Description: Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.

Question: Describe a multi-functional project team that you have led or have had a senior involvement with. Tell us how you directed the team to deliver a significant portion of work and what you are particularly proud of. Tell us about the challenges you faced and how your leadership led to a successful project outcome.

PLEASE NOTE: CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

Competence 3: Focuses on Customers and Partners

Description: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Question: There are often real challenges in balancing and managing the conflicting views of various parties throughout project delivery. Please tell us about your approach to managing competing ideas, needs and priorities, and provide examples from your career.

PLEASE NOTE: CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

Competence 4: Delivers Results Through Others

Description: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

Question: Describe a challenging or technical project/piece of work that you have been leading or been heavily involved with, where you have hit a major obstacle or where for you it was proving difficult to achieve a successful outcome.

PLEASE NOTE: CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.

Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer.

When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

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 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. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.