Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Environment Agency Deputy Director, Thames Strategy & Partnerships
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Job Summary
This post is an Environment Agency post at EA Grade Deputy Director and at EA salary £81,000 - £85,000. It is not a post at Civil Service Pay Band 1 as indicated on the left-hand side bar of this advert. Further confirmation of the EA grade and terms and conditions can be found in the attached candidate pack
This is a vacancy working for the Environment Agency, part of Defra Group. EA are not Civil Servants so terms will reflect that. Anyone moving from the Civil Service will lose their CS terms and benefits starting new employment with the EA
Job Description
The Environment Agency are seeking a Deputy Director, Thames Strategy & Partnerships to join our Thames Programme Delivery Directorate. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of flood resilience for London, the Thames Estuary and the wider River Thames through leadership of some of the UK's most significant and ambitious infrastructure programmes.
Reporting to the Director of Thames Programme Delivery, you will play a pivotal role in developing the long-term strategy, business cases, funding approaches and partnerships required to support the future of the Thames Estuary 2100 programme and major investment across the River Thames. At a crucial stage in programme development, you will help define the pathway for multi-billion-pound investment decisions that will protect communities, infrastructure and economic growth for generations to come.
This is a highly influential role operating at the intersection of policy, strategy, infrastructure and government. You will lead engagement across Whitehall, working closely with HM Treasury, Defra and other government departments to secure support for future investment programmes and Spending Reviews. You will also build trusted relationships with Ministers, local authorities, delivery partners and industry leaders to help shape the future of one of the UK's most important resilience programmes.
We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader with experience of developing major programmes, securing investment and operating in complex stakeholder environments. You may have gained your experience in central government, infrastructure, transport, energy, environmental resilience or another major project setting. Most importantly, you will bring strategic judgement, political awareness and the ability to navigate complex challenges while maintaining focus on long-term outcomes.
The role offers the opportunity to lead major feasibility and options development work, influence national investment decisions, and help shape the future delivery model for programmes that are expected to become increasingly prominent within government's major projects portfolio. It is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience of London and the Thames Estuary in the face of climate change
For more information, please see our candidate pack
Person Specification
Essential
- Significant experience leading the development and delivery of major programmes, infrastructure projects or strategic initiatives, including establishing effective governance, assurance and risk management frameworks.
- Proven experience securing investment and approvals through the development of major business cases, funding proposals, Spending Review submissions or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of government decision-making processes, with experience working across Whitehall and navigating complex political and organisational environments.
- Demonstrable ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders, including Ministers, senior officials, executive leaders and delivery partners.
- Strong strategic thinking, sound judgement and excellent communication skills, including the preparation of high-quality ministerial briefings, advice and recommendations.
- Experience leading, developing and motivating high-performing teams in complex, fast-paced environments.
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Desirable
- Senior leadership experience at Deputy Director level or equivalent, with a track record of establishing, mobilising and leading major infrastructure programmes from an early stage of development.
- Experience leading large-scale feasibility studies, options appraisals and strategic planning activity, including securing major funding or investment approvals through engagement with HM Treasury and other key stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of infrastructure planning and delivery, including knowledge of consenting, land acquisition, regulatory processes, and experience within infrastructure, transport, engineering, environmental resilience or related sectors.
- Demonstrable programme leadership, organisational credibility and commitment to professional development, including MPLA accreditation or a willingness to work towards accreditation.
Benefits
- Substantial pension scheme
- Generous annual leave
- Up to two days’ paid environmental outcome days each year
- Flexible working patterns to allow you to achieve a good work-life balance
- Access to a number of employee networks and forums that support our employees and help us build an inclusive culture.
Artificial Intelligence
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. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process Details
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Environment Agency on this appointment.
For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OBRZS. Applications should be received by noon on Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
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As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact Point for Applicants
Job Contact
- Name: Cath Bremner
- Email: DirectorofTPD@environment-agency.gov.uk
Recruitment Team
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