Environment Agency
Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Manager - 35003
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Manager - 35003
Senior Lead – COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Team
About the Role
The Environment Agency is committed to fostering an inclusive workforce that accurately represents the communities we serve. We do not just promote diversity—we embrace it, making it central to our workplace culture for the benefit of our staff, communities, and the environment.
Reporting to the Deputy Director for Energy and Manufacturing Industries, we are seeking a strategic, technical leader to guide the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Team through a transformative period of change.
You will:
- Lead the Environment Agency’s role as the COMAH Competent Authority, ensuring seamless collaboration with stakeholders to deliver effective environmental regulation for major industrial hazards in England.
- Advise and influence government departments to shape COMAH policy and strategic direction.
- Drive improvements to the COMAH regime—including technology, training, guidance, and working practices—to uphold the Agency’s reputation as a trusted, strategically critical voice for senior leaders and industry.
- Direct the COMAH team, leveraging your technical expertise to safeguard environmental outcomes amid evolving industry risks.
- Foster a high-performing team, embedding change across the COMAH regime to maximise team potential and efficiency.
Flexible working patterns are an option for this role. Accommodations can be made for application or interview processes if required.
About the Team
You will join the Energy and Manufacturing Industries management team within the Environment & Business Directorate, working closely with operational staff, senior advisors, data analysts, and project support officers. Together, your team supports frontline COMAH regulation across England.
This is a national role with a dispersed team, requiring occasional travel for meetings.
Responsibilities
Key duties include:
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
- Serving as the key point of contact with partners within the COMAH Competent Authority network.
- Engaging with site operators, trade associations, and regulator colleagues to guide policy and delivery.
- Assessing and implementing system and process improvements (e.g., IT systems, training, and guidance).
- Directing the team’s expertise to support policy development, risk management, and emergency response planning.
- Representing the EA at senior government and industry forums.
Experience & Skills Required
- Proven leadership skills to drive performance, inspire teams, and navigate fast-paced change.
- Essential: Thorough understanding of the COMAH regime, with experience in either regulatory enforcement or environmental compliance.
- Strong influence and relationship management—experience liaising with senior leaders, government bodies, and industry stakeholders.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication to articulate technical details clearly.
Training and development opportunities will be provided. We particularly welcome candidates who possess IT, digital, or operational change experience.
Benefits
- Hybrid working arrangements (office/home).
- Generous pension provisions and leave entitlements.
- Prominent personal and professional development programmes.
Contact & Additional Information
For further details, contact Chris Jenkins at: chris.jenkins@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will take place via MS Teams within two weeks of the application closing date.
Attached documents contain vital application guidance.
Competency-Based Assessment
Successful applicants will be evaluated based on four core competencies:
Competence 1 – Leads People
Provides leadership that aligns team and organisational goals, nurturing growth and high performance.
Example required: Describe a time when you developed and motivated a team to achieve superior business outcomes.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Competence 2 – Influences and Persuades Others
Communicates persuasively, shaping behaviour and buy-in even when resistant.
Example required: Give an instance where you introduced and embedded a major change, securing engagement from all levels of the organisation.
Competence 3 – Delivers Results Through Others
Harnesses team dynamics (internal and external) to meet objectives with precision and accountability.
Example required: Illustrate how you leveraged collaboration to achieve key business results.
Competency 4 – Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
solves complex issues using data-driven, proactive approaches.
Example required: Share an instance where you resolved a business challenge through innovative, evidence-based methods.
Additional Notes
- Applications will be blind-assessed based on responses to competency questions.
- For applicants from the civil service or local government, potential redundancy entitlements should be clarified via your HR department.
- Flexible working opportunities (including job sharing) are actively encouraged. Specify preferences in your application.
Diversity and Inclusion Guarantee
The Environment Agency has a Guaranteed Interview Policy for candidates with disabilities. If you meet the minimum criteria and hold a disability, we will ensure an interview.
Supplier Information
We prioritise efficient public sector procurement and operate through established frameworks. For supplier inquiries, visit the Crown Commercial Service website. Applications will be assessed using provided evidence; generative AI evidence is not permissible, nor will misrepresented content be tolerated.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills