Operational Manager

Description:

The Environment Agency is seeking an experienced and inspirational Operational Manager to lead the National Environmental Assessment Service (NEAS). NEAS enables the Agency to deliver its capital and asset management programmes efficiently, in compliance with environmental legislation, policies, and corporate priorities.

As Operational Manager, you will lead a team of approximately 45 technical experts in environmental legislation, heritage, carbon, landscape architecture, and biodiversity net gain. You will oversee strategic portfolios, lead your team through change, ensure day-to-day delivery, and foster a high-performance culture. Your role will require collaboration with senior leaders, industry experts, delivery partners, and external stakeholders to achieve mutually beneficial strategic outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a technical team of 45+ staff and ensure efficient delivery of operational priorities aligned to broader EA strategy

• Drive proactive stakeholder management, building trust and fostering strong relationships

• Embed a culture of continuous improvement to support evolving business, environmental, and stakeholder needs

• Foster a psychologically safe environment that encourages innovation and confident decision-making

• Lead planning and delivery of change programmes impacting your team and business relationships

Experience / Skills Required:

• Significant experience in project delivery, environmental legislation, policy, or related environmental assessment work

• Proven experience leading technical teams and translating strategy into operational delivery

• Strong leadership skills, including building high-performance team cultures and facilitating psychological safety

• Innovative thinking, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making

• Ability to operate in uncertainty and communicate complex issues clearly to senior stakeholders

• Consensus building and influencing skills at a strategic level

Competencies for Interview Selection:

1. Leads People – Inspiring and motivating teams during prolonged uncertainty and complexity

2. Develops People – Creating continuous improvement environments and enabling team growth

3. Manages Change – Leading significant change initiatives and overcoming resistance

4. Manages Self – Maintaining self-awareness, taking responsibility for personal development

Additional Information / Benefits:

• Hybrid working arrangements with flexibility and support for diverse workforce needs

• Some travel and occasional overnight stays required

• Guaranteed Interview Policy for candidates with disabilities

• Participation in incident response duties as part of the role

• Part of a nationally dispersed leadership team of NEAS alongside two other managers