Environment Agency
People and Assurance Director
At the Environment Agency we are inspiring the people we work with to help the country to not only survive but thrive through the challenges of a changing climate. We want to keep people safe and protect the things that matter to us all – our natural spaces, our wildlife and our future. We’re offering an exciting opportunity for the right person to be part of a forward-thinking organisation with the environment at its core.
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. Everyone starting in a new role will be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support needed.
This is a vital time to work in Strategy, Transformation & Assurance at the Environment Agency. As the world grapples with climate change, species loss and challenges to water quality and supply, our work is more critical than ever.
We are in search of a dynamic and experienced Director of People and Assurance to lead the development and delivery of our people strategy ambitions. You will influence and challenge at the most senior level, adopting creative problem solving to deliver innovative, pragmatic solutions to business challenges.
As the Director of People and Assurance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Environment Agency’s people strategy, ensuring alignment with the broader organisational goals. You will lead the development of people solutions in collaboration with Defra HR, influencing and driving the organisation forward on strategic people and assurance initiatives. This includes ensuring compliance, shaping cultural change, and delivering on outcomes related to health and safety, risk management, and people transformation.
You will lead a diverse and high-performing team (of c170 with 4 Deputy Director reports and a small Executive Office team), overseeing functions including pensions, risk and assurance, health and safety, and people and inclusion. This role demands a strong advisor to the Executive Director Team (EDT) and Board, working closely with key stakeholders to drive performance and operational improvements across the organisation of approximately 14,000 people. You will also ensure the integration of people functions into the organisation while fostering a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement. We are looking for individuals who have proven experience at a senior level in people strategy, HR leadership, and/or assurance functions and who bring change and transformation experience. Candidates will need a strong background in managing HR functions, including for example, compliance, health and safety, risk management, and organisational design and experience in leading cultural change. You will be a strong people leader with experience in building strong relationships with senior leaders, unions, and cross-functional teams in highly complex organisations. You will also bring a track record of delivering strategy that is outcomes focussed and experience of leading change and transformation that has delivered brilliant outcomes.
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 www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference OBRZA. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 3rd February.
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.