35760 - Strategic Resource Options Programme Lead - National

Environment Agency; National (WA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Agency is seeking a Programme/Project Lead to steer strategic engagement across Water Resource SROs. You will act as the EA's single point of contact for a portfolio of connected schemes, coordinating multiple workstreams and aligning regulatory input throughout development.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and risk governance capabilities to deliver sustainable water resilience and engage with water companies and partner organisations.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing a large project or programme is essential.
• Experience in identifying and managing risk, including escalating issues through governance routes.
• Ability to work with Directors and senior groups to resolve issues would be advantageous.
• Proactive problem solving and relationship building with water companies and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate Area ambition for SRO schemes, balancing opportunities, risks and regulatory outcomes.
• Coordinate resources and expertise to support programme delivery.
• Manage programme-level risks and escalate concerns that could impact regulatory progress.
• Build stakeholder relationships with water companies, Natural England, NRW and internal teams.
• Provide reporting and governance updates to senior leaders and boards.
• Oversee SRO Coordinators and ensure technical requirements are understood and delivered.
• Champion clear communications and engagement across channels.
• Support Strategic Coordination Team within Water Infrastructure Delivery Programme.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

Risk management

Regulatory engagement

Programme coordination

Job description

Please note: Vacancy information displayed on Find a Job may be subject to system limitations. The Environment Agency vacancy page contains the most accurate and up-to-date information for this role. Applicants should refer to the Environment Agency vacancy page for the full job details, including working arrangements, location requirements, and role-specific information.

We have an exciting opportunity to lead the Environment Agency's strategic engagement on some of the UK's most significant water infrastructure programmes.

We are seeking an experienced and influential Programme/Project Lead to act as the Environment Agency's single point of contact for a portfolio of connected Water Resource Strategic Resource Options (SROs). This is a high-profile leadership role, bringing together regulatory, technical and stakeholder interests to ensure successful progression of major water resource schemes.

As the programme's account manager, you will maintain a complete overview of each SRO, coordinating multiple workstreams and ensuring effective regulatory input at every stage of development. Working closely with Area Directors, leadership teams, water companies and partner organisations, you will shape strategic direction, align regulatory activity and help deliver sustainable solutions for future water resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership by defining and communicating Area ambition for SRO schemes, balancing opportunities, risks and regulatory outcomes.

Coordinate resources and expertise, ensuring the right skills, teams and partners are engaged at the right time to support programme delivery.

Manage programme-level risks, anticipating issues early, resolving barriers and escalating concerns that could impact regulatory progress.

Build strong stakeholder relationships with water companies, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and internal teams to drive collaboration and delivery.

Provide clear reporting and governance updates to senior leaders, programme boards, RAPID and other key forums.

Steer technical coordination, overseeing SRO Coordinators and ensuring technical requirements are understood, planned and delivered effectively.

Champion consistent communications and engagement, working with specialist teams to ensure clear, coordinated messaging and support across all channels.

This role would suit a strategic programme leader with strong stakeholder management, risk management and organisational skills, capable of bringing people together to solve complex challenges and deliver meaningful environmental outcomes.

The team

You’ll join our Strategic Coordination Team that sits within the Water Infrastructure Delivery Programme.

The team is the EA point of contact into companies proposing Water Infrastructure supply schemes (reservoirs, water recycling schemes, large scale transfers and desalination) and to RAPID.

The team understands the collective need and shapes and commissions the work needed from the wider team and throughout the programme, including escalating cross cutting issues for resolution.

Experience of managing a large project or programme is essential, along with experience in identifying and managing risk, including escalating issues through governance routes when required.A background in water resources planning and related processes would be beneficial but is not essential. Experience of working with Directors and senior groups to resolve issues would also be advantageous.Key skills include:Proactive and tenacious in solving problems and identifying routes to resolution.Able to build strong relationships, for example with water companies, RAPID and senior internal stakeholders.Capable of influencing and persuading others through a compelling articulation of requirements.Communicates clearly and concisely, including preparing papers suitable for Executive Directors.Connects and engages effectively with others to share information and gain support.Delivers work effectively through virtual teams and groups.