Description
The Environment Agency is seeking a Deputy Director, Thames Strategy & Partnerships to join their 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.
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 the candidate pack.
Responsibilities
- 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.
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