Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: Any
Building/Site: Various
Grade: Staff Grade 6
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Operational Delivery
Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Compressed Hours
Salary Minimum: £54,940
Closing Date: 03/06/2026, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
ER06 Job Family Role Profile Environment & Regulation, Grade 6
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 34818.docx – 6580KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 34818.docx.pdf – 2180KB
Security checks level: Basic Check
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to join Operations Catchment Services (OCS) and play a key leadership role within the Water Industry National Accounts function. This role supports the delivery of national oversight of water company performance, ensuring strong environmental outcomes and regulatory compliance.
The Water Industry National Accounts team provides a whole-system view of water company performance, working across the Environment Agency and with regulators to drive improvements in environmental outcomes, transparency and accountability. The team leads delivery of the target operating model within OCS, intelligence gathering around national reporting, transition to new regulatory frameworks (AMP8/AMP9 and plays a key role in the transition driven by the IWC.
Reporting to the G7 National Accounts Lead, you will provide senior support in delivering the target operating model, embedding a systems-thinking approach, and coordinating activity across operational, analytical and regulatory teams as well as work closely with other regulators.
You will be responsible for
Supporting leadership of the Water Industry National Accounts function, ensuring delivery of national priorities
Contributing to key elements of the annual performance process and contributing to the Environmental Performance Report, ensuring alignment with regulatory partners
Supporting the development and implementation of the target operating model and embedding systems thinking across accounts
Managing and improving implementing change across OCS, Accounts and wider functions of the EA in line with the new Target operating model and IWC transition.
Building strong working relationships with regulators and partners to gain a shared view of water industry intelligence
Supporting transition from legacy systems to modern analytical and reporting tools
Identifying and managing risks to delivery, supporting continuous improvement across the function
Facilitating effective internal networks and ensuring they deliver valued outcomes
Providing leadership and support to team members, contributing to a positive, inclusive and high-performing environment
The team
The Water Industry National Accounts team sits within Operations Catchment Services, a national service providing expertise in delivering continuous improvement, systems thinking and evidence delivery for the water industry.
OCS supports operational teams and leadership to improve water company performance and deliver environmental outcomes. We act as a centre of excellence, providing strategic oversight, data, and insight to inform decision-making and influence the water industry.
Experience/skills required
Essential:
Strong knowledge of the water industry, including regulatory, operational and planning frameworks
Experience of delivering complex work across teams or functions, with the ability to contribute at a strategic level
Ability to influence stakeholders and build effective working relationships
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly
Ability to support and develop others, contributing to a collaborative team environment
Strong analytical capability and confidence working with performance data
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Desirable knowledge / experience:
Experience of environmental regulation or water company performance management
Understanding of AMP cycles and regulatory reporting frameworks (e.g. EPA)
Experience supporting operating model development or systems thinking approaches
Programme or project management experience or qualifications
Ability to create rapport and possess high EQ skills
Contact and additional information
We are fully committed to having an 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.
This role is permanent based on a 37 hour week, part-time or flexible working can be considered. You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible. There will be some requirement for travel for meetings and engagement across the country.
For further information or questions relating to this role, please contact: Chris Downham Chris.Downham@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1: Shapes organisational approach & delivery
Description
Describe a time when you shaped or influenced a strategic approach, policy, or operating model across multiple teams or organisations. How did you ensure it aligned with wider organisational or regulatory priorities, and what outcomes did it deliver?
Competence 2: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Tell us about a time when you led delivery through others in a complex environment. How did you ensure clarity of roles, maintain momentum, and achieve results against competing priorities?
Competence 3: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Give an example of when you influenced senior stakeholders or external partners to achieve a desired outcome. How did you approach the situation, manage differing views, and secure agreement?
Competence 4: Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Description
This role involves improving national performance reporting, systems and ways of working. Describe a time when you identified an opportunity to improve efficiency or quality at scale. How did you implement the change, ensure it was adopted, and what impact did it have?
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.
