Deputy Director for Environmental Markets & Regulation - 30904

The Environment Agency is delivering a more circular and Net-Zero economy by reducing waste and carbon through regulating a range of market-based schemes. An ambitious Government programme of regulatory reforms means we are getting a raft of new duties and our teams are growing to deliver those new regimes. The Environmental Markets & Regulation (EM&R) team in Operations deliver the regulation of these schemes, including Producer Responsibility Waste markets, Carbon Markets, Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, Carriers, Brokers and Dealers and International Waste Shipments. They also deliver National Income Services.

We are recruiting for an additional permanent Deputy Director to support the delivery of emerging and existing regulatory regimes driven by government reform and increasing environmental ambition. As we navigate transitions to new regulatory policy, we are looking for a leader to provide strategic leadership and management of our specialist operational teams, who deliver a range of services with high national and international impact. You will work with government, industry and partner regulators to deliver through others and lead on the operational regulatory standards, activities & provide expert technical regulatory direction and expertise. Your excellent communication and advanced problem-solving abilities will enable effective and collaborative relationships with government and other stakeholders, manage expectations and champion the regulatory and compliance activities of the organisation.

Your people leadership will champion health, safety & wellbeing, continuous improvement and diversity, equality & inclusion. You will bring strategic thinking, connecting ways of working with supportive team working, delegation and negotiation abilities. Whilst providing inclusive leadership to the team, you will also contribute to the wider goals of the Agency through the National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) Leadership Team and the Operations Executive Group, building and nurturing relationships across Operations and the wider business, ensuring we continue to deliver for the Agency and the wider community.

The team Environmental Markets & Regulation sits within National Regulation & Monitoring (NRM) in Operations. EM&R comprise 5 teams currently: two responsible for the regulation of Producer Responsibility Waste markets, one regulating Climate markets, our National Income Service and finally a team providing national regulation of Hazardous Waste, Chemicals, and Carriers, Brokers and Dealers. Currently c. 550 people, we are set to grow. We work closely across Operations, with Environment & Business, Legal Services and government.

Experience/skills Required

• Proven operational leadership across large, diverse and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience delivering through others, complex work programmes and implementing new ways of working.
• Ability to maximise influence of senior leaders and secure commitment from across Boards, head office policy/process groups, Defra, DESNZ, industry and other regulatory bodies.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to brief technical and non-technical audiences to enable delivery and collaboration.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, influence and deliver through others.
• Track record of managing change and navigating high-profile political and regulatory challenges.
• Ability to utilise expertise when translating complex technical and data-driven insights into clear, meaningful outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.

The role requires operating with autonomy, translating regulatory policy into delivery with real-world impact. You will comfortably navigate complex political and regulatory environments to represent the organisation and build trust with diverse stakeholders. You will likely have a professionally qualified background in any discipline.

Responding to incidents is central to what we do. 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. Full training will be available.

Excellent delegation and remote leadership skills will enable management of specialist operational teams across the country. Diversity of background and experiences only adds to our strengths and capabilities as an organisation.

This role reports to Malcolm Lythgo, Director of Operations of National Regulation & Monitoring. There will be a virtual briefing call to learn more about this role on 28th May 2025 from 10-11am. If you would like an invite, please contact Malcolm’s PA at charlotte.gardener@environment-agency.gov.uk. Virtual interviews are planned for 28th & 29th July 2025.

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 this link for more information.