In this role, you will join Contracts team, which specialises in procurement, stakeholder management, and supplier relationship governance to ensure effective, cost-efficient services.

Key details:

• Reports to the Strategic Fleet Manager for Contracts, offering significant autonomy, ownership, and influence over fleet performance and decision-making.
• Part of a national, hybrid-based operation, enabling flexible working and collaboration across dispersed teams.

Experience & Skills Required

You must demonstrate the following:

• Strategic leadership: Build and maintain high-level relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive organisational priorities and enhance the EA’s reputation.
• Fleet commercial authority: Provide expert contract guidance, offering innovative, compliant, and policy-aligned solutions.
• Policy & governance: Develop frameworks, standards, and best-practice processes at national and local levels.
• Data-driven insight: Oversee systems that track contract performance and risk, translating data into clear recommendations for leadership.
• Supplier management: Ensure value-for-money outcomes through contractual accountability, performance monitoring, and risk mitigation.
• Proven experience: At least five years managing complex or high-value contracts, with a track record of improving supplier performance.

Essential Skills:

• Strong public sector procurement knowledge with expertise in Defra alignment (highly desirable).
• Ability to handle high-pressure demands and manage autonomy with pace in purpose-driven environments.

Application & Competency Overview

Applicants will be assessed via competency-based questions. Below is the process:

Key Interview Competencies

1. Effort and Stimuli (formerly Efficiency, Innovation & Quality):
   • Question: Describe a time when you "drove innovation in contract or commercial management"—within 250 words. Highlight how you identified opportunities and improved practices while maintaining quality and accuracy.

1. Develops People:

   • Question: Provide an example where you "build or led a high-performing team"—within 250 words. Demonstrate how you supported team members’ growth and Transition to futue success.

2. Contracts & Relationship Management:

   • Question: Share a scenario where you "managed a significant commercial risk, a dispute, or contract failure"—within 250 words. Explain your approach to resolving issues while protecting operational continuity and compliance.

Additional Information

• Role Type: National, hybrid-based with flexible working arrangements (remote digital tools, occasional travel, overnight stays may be required).
• Inclusivity & Support: We prioritise inclusive incident management, adjusting roles to suit individual needs. Training and accommodations are viable when required.
• Interviews: Scheduled for 28 & 29 July 2026. A Teams drop-in session will be held on 22 June, 1–2pm for more information—contact tony.stevens@environment-agency.gov.uk to attend.
• Diversity & Inclusion: The Environment Agency is fully committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working options such as job sharing apply.

Important Notes:

• The EA does not operate as part of the HM Civil Service, so continuous service cannot be applied for if selected.
• If you currently work in Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) Order 1999-covered roles, you may retain eligibility for future unemployment or redundancy calculations.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated in applications. Artificial Intelligence support can be used as an aid only—examples and responses must be plagiarism-free and rooted in genuine experience.

For additional recruitment actions, this National role accesses Central Government frameworks via Crown Commercial Service. If you wish to participate as a supplier, further details are available here.