Local recruitment: Senior Team Leader, Reservoir Safety Reform

Environment Agency

England, UK 🇬🇧

Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: National
Grade: Staff Grade 6
Post Type: Permanent
Role Type: Senior Leadership
Working Pattern: Full Time
Salary Minimum: £54,940
Closing Date: 08/11/2026, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1
AS06 Job Family Role Profile Advise & Shape, Grade 6

Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 36368.docx – 6433KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 36368.docx.pdf – 2090KB
Security checks level: Basic Check

Job description

Do you want to work for an organisation that values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency is the organisation for you.

We are looking for an exceptional people leader to join our Reservoir Safety Team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape reservoir safety regulation in England by leading a national team responsible for technical standards, incident management, industry engagement, guidance development and regulatory change.

Reservoir safety is entering a period of significant transformation. Working closely with Government, regulators, reservoir owners and industry experts, you will play a key role in delivering legislative changes, supporting the implementation of new regulatory frameworks and ensuring the continued protection of people, property and the environment.

As Senior Team Leader, you will manage a multidisciplinary team of technical specialists, engineers, advisors and programme professionals. You will foster an inclusive, high-performing culture, ensure the successful delivery of business priorities, and support the development and wellbeing of your team.

The role reports directly to the Reservoir Safety Reform Programme Executive and Team Manager, who provides overall oversight of the team.

Your role will include:

Leading and developing a national team of specialists and technical professionals.
Managing workloads, resources and delivery across a diverse portfolio of work.
Supporting the delivery of reservoir safety reform and future regulatory change working closely with the Programme Executive.
Working collaboratively with Defra, Welsh Government, other regulators, reservoir owners and industry bodies.
Supporting the development of technical standards, guidance and assurance processes.
Promoting innovation, continuous improvement and professional development.
Supporting incident preparedness and response activities.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to undertake an incident management role and support business continuity during incidents. Full training and workplace adjustments will be provided.

The team

You will join the Reservoir Safety Team within Flood and Coastal Risk Management’s Chief Engineer function. The Reservoir Safety Reform Team leads reservoir safety reform and sets industry standards for reservoir safety in England. We provide technical leadership, guidance, training and incident support, helping to protect communities and shape the future of reservoir safety regulation.

Experience/skills required

We’re looking for a confident and collaborative leader who can bring people together behind a shared vision and deliver results in a complex national environment.

You’ll be able to demonstrate:

Strong people management experience.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing cultures.
Experience working in technical, regulatory, engineering, environmental or policy environments.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with senior leaders and external partners.
Experience managing competing priorities and delivering through others.
A commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and continuous improvement.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an EA Office base location, but as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid. We are a dispersed team so self-management and good communication skills are essential.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, please contact: Johnathan Austin: johnathan.austin@environment-agency.gov.uk

Interviews will take place virtually via MS Teams within two weeks of closing date.

Competence 1: Leads People
Description
Creates a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive, develop and deliver their best work.
How have you developed individuals with different professional backgrounds, levels of experience or development needs?

Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Builds trusted relationships and works effectively across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.
How do you build trust and credibility with senior leaders, technical experts, government partners and industry representatives?

Competence 3: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Achieves outcomes by setting clear expectations, empowering others and maintaining accountability for delivery.
How do you delegate effectively while giving people the support and authority they need to succeed?
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.

11 days remaining

Apply by 8 November, 2026

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EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

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