Deputy Director - People & Inclusion - 35969

Role Overview

The Environment Agency is embarking on an ambitious journey of transformation through EA2030: Change for a Better Environment – a long‑term strategy to ensure people, nature and businesses can prosper together. At its heart are three long‑term goals: supporting healthy air, land and water for nature’s recovery, enabling sustainable growth and building a nation resilient to climate change. The People agenda is a fundamental pillar of EA2030, and this role will help shape the culture, capability and inclusivity of the Agency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of core people services across the Environment Agency, including bulk activities such as resourcing and specialist areas such as diversity and inclusion.
• Manage a team of approximately 80 staff, including six senior managers, to provide significant BAU activity (e.g. pay award negotiations, large‑scale recruitment campaigns, learning and capability interventions) and continuously improve the service offering.
• Act as the main point of contact and relationship manager with Defra’s HR Service provision, providing escalation, oversight and service management on all HR‑delivered services.
• Ensure the delivery of the People Strategy and its alignment with EA2030 objectives.
• Engage with Defra HR to shape the Agency’s service provision and strategic people priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Wide‑range knowledge and understanding of public sector working and the Environment Agency’s business partners.
• Demonstrated success in developing and delivering corporate strategies at a senior level.
• Proven ability to react to changing priorities, re‑prioritise resources and work under pressure in complex situations.
• Experience providing strategic guidance to senior leaders within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong influence and ability to develop and implement strategies through to action.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills.
• Broad People/HR knowledge across a wide range of topics.
• CIPD accreditation desirable.