At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of a flagship environmental programme focused on natural capital and ecosystem assessment.
- Company: Join the Environment Agency, dedicated to improving the water environment and promoting sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a positive work-life balance, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for nature while collaborating with passionate specialists in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management, strong organisational skills, and a focus on quality are essential.
- Other info: This role offers line management responsibilities and requires some travel; remote work options available.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in delivering the Environment Agency’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (tNCEA) Programme — a flagship initiative shaping how we understand and manage the water environment. The Programme supports Defra's wider NCEA programme in building a ground-breaking evidence base on the state and value of our natural environment and ecosystems to transform environmental decision-making in England.
As a Senior Project Manager, you will take a lead role in driving the delivery of the Environment Agency’s workstreams within the programme — with a focus on outcomes, collaboration, and high-quality results. You'll work alongside specialists in science, data, and operations to ensure delivery aligns with programme goals, while maintaining strong working relationships across teams.
We’re looking for someone who brings energy, initiative, and leadership. You’ll need experience working in programmes or large projects, be organised and detail-oriented, and able to manage delivery across time, cost, and quality. You’ll thrive working in a complex, fast-paced environment and enjoy working with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
This is a high-profile role that offers excellent exposure across the Environment Agency and Defra. You'll also have line management responsibilities and will support the Programme Manager through deputising duties.
If you’re passionate about making a real difference for nature and society — and enjoy turning strategy into delivery — we’d love to hear from you.
The team you will join the NCEA Programme Management team within our Environment and Business (Chief Scientist Group) Directorate and report to the EA NCEA Programme Manager. We are a small, kind and friendly team fully committed to improving the water environment. We support flexible working to provide a positive work-life balance and to reduce our carbon footprint.
Experience/skills Required:
- Demonstrating strong experience of supporting the delivery of Programmes or larger projects.
- Delivery of your work with a focus on quality and attention to detail.
- Stakeholder focus and organisational skills.
- Experience of managing finances and procurement and building budgets in a programme environment.
- Build good relationships and work collaboratively.
Desirable:
- Have experience of working with PRINCE2 principles.
- Have experience of working in ‘virtual teams’ to deliver outcomes.
- Awareness of Business change.
- Awareness of the NCEA Programme.
You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll support you to find a role to suit your needs and circumstances. Appropriate training will be given.
As this is a national role the working location is flexible, but you’ll have an EA office base location. Some travel and overnight stays will be required.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams on 13 June 2025.
Length of contract: Up to 31/05/27
Competence 1: Programme and Project Management
Description: Project and programme management - Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.
Competence 2: Influences and Persuades Others
Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Competence 3: Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Competence 4: Delivers Results Through Others
Description: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
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.
Senior Project Manager (Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment) - 31062 employer: Environment Agency
Contact Detail:
Environment Agency Recruiting Team
emma.blunden@environment-agency.gov.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Manager (Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment) - 31062
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme. Understanding its goals and current projects will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during discussions with the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the environmental sector, especially those involved in ecosystem assessments. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing complex projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully delivered outcomes while collaborating with diverse teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting instances where you've influenced change or improved processes within a team. This will resonate well with the expectations for this senior role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Manager (Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment) - 31062
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project management, particularly in natural capital or ecosystem assessments. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage large projects and deliver quality results.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for environmental issues and how your skills align with the role. Mention your experience with stakeholder engagement and managing finances, as these are key aspects of the job.
Prepare for Competency Questions: The application process may include competency-based questions. Prepare examples that showcase your decision-making, problem-solving, and team leadership skills, particularly in challenging situations.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working with both technical and non-technical colleagues, emphasise any past experiences where you successfully collaborated across different teams or disciplines to achieve project goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Environment Agency
✨Showcase Your Project Management Experience
Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your experience managing large projects or programmes. Highlight your ability to deliver quality results while managing time, cost, and resources effectively.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Since this role involves collaboration with various teams, share instances where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or navigated complex relationships to achieve project goals.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills. Think of situations where you identified problems, analysed information, and implemented effective solutions, showcasing your analytical abilities.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Qualities
As a Senior Project Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Prepare to discuss how you've motivated others, turned around challenging situations, and ensured successful delivery through teamwork.