Strategic Water Programme Lead

Environment Agency; United States; Remote; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment Agency is seeking an experienced Programme/Project Lead to act as the single point of contact for Water Resource SROs. You will lead the strategic engagement for major water infrastructure programmes, balancing regulatory, technical and stakeholder interests to progress schemes.

As account manager, you will oversee SROs, coordinate workstreams, ally with Area Directors, water companies and partner organisations, and shape direction to deliver sustainable water resilience.

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.

Job description

Environment Agency is seeking an experienced Programme/Project Lead to act as the single point of contact for Water Resource SROs. You will lead the strategic engagement for major water infrastructure programmes, balancing regulatory, technical and stakeholder interests to progress schemes.

As account manager, you will oversee SROs, coordinate workstreams, ally with Area Directors, water companies and partner organisations, and shape direction to deliver sustainable water resilience.