Senior Project Manager - 34116

As a leader, you will:

lead virtual and matrix managed teams in delivering complex improvement projects; role model the behaviours and values of a continuous improvement culture; identify gaps in skills and develop plans to address skills gaps; share expertise and knowledge.

You will be a continuous improvement professional and be part of a wider team leading on transformation.

We're looking for motivated people with good engagement, communication and influencing skills, and who have demonstrable significant experience of:

successfully delivering business change projects in a professional project delivery environment; ensuring that outputs are delivered successfully to achieve the required benefits; writing compelling, comprehensive business cases; working with uncertainty and finding innovative solutions to solve problems; facilitating collaborative and efficient ways of working; effectively managing project finances and communications; being a leader - which allows you to gain credibility, respect and co-operation with those you work with.

Professional project management qualifications and accreditation in Prince2 / Agile is highly desirable.

Preferred: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent Continuous Improvement) qualification

Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing projects that deliver improvement and optimisation for the organisation, through:

leading the co-design of transformative/complex change & improvement across teams and functions; assessing and making progress in complicated/complex/chaotic domains; taking a systems-based approach to improvement interventions; ensuring that improvement work is commissioned and planned with rigour; providing stakeholders with advice and expert consultation on strategy and techniques for sustainable improvement; designing and delivering training and engagement events; enabling and facilitating knowledge transfer within and beyond the team, throughout the Continuous Improvement Community of Practice and across organisational boundaries; being an escalation point for blockers / barriers / managing risk & issues; developing innovative approaches to our own ways of working.

As a leader, you will:

lead virtual and matrix managed teams in delivering complex improvement projects; role model the behaviours and values of a continuous improvement culture; identify gaps in skills and develop plans to address skills gaps; share expertise and knowledge.

You will be a continuous improvement professional and be part of a wider team leading on transformation.

The team

You’ll join our Transformation Team; a disciplined, value‑driven organisation where change is purposeful, prioritised, and delivers measurable improvements for people and the environment.

We’re a dispersed team, working with a wide range of technical/project teams.

We’re part of the Service Transformation Directorate with a mission to lead the strategic transformation of the EA into a digitally enabled powerhouse, providing strategic leadership, direction, and defining the scope and role of EA service transformation.

Experience/skills Required

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate your:

ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

We're looking for motivated people with good engagement, communication and influencing skills, and who have demonstrable significant experience of:

successfully delivering business change projects in a professional project delivery environment; ensuring that outputs are delivered successfully to achieve the required benefits; writing compelling, comprehensive business cases; working with uncertainty and finding innovative solutions to solve problems; facilitating collaborative and efficient ways of working; effectively managing project finances and communications; being a leader - which allows you to gain credibility, respect and co-operation with those you work with.

Professional project management qualifications and accreditation in Prince2 / Agile is highly desirable.

Preferred: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent Continuous Improvement) qualification

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact anna.edwards@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

Length of contract

Up to 12 Months

Competence 1

Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality

Description

Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.

Feedback is generally not available at sift stage

QUESTION: Tell us about an improvement initiative that you led where you successfully identified and implemented opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of a process or system.

Competence 2

Programme and Project Management

Description

Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

QUESTION: Tell us about a project or a programme of work that you have led or had senior involvement with. How did you keep track of progress and performance? What tools, systems and processes did you use? Did you require resource? Explain how you commissioned resource to work on your projects.

Competence 3

Achieves Results

Description

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets.

Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

QUESTION: From a project or programme of work perspective, please give an example of when you have accomplished a significant achievement in difficult circumstances.

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.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

QUESTION: Describe a multi-functional project team that you have led or have had a senior involvement with. Tell us how you directed the team to deliver a significant portion of work and what you are particularly proud of.

Tell us about the challenges you faced and how your leadership led to a successful project outcome.

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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

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. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.