Business Manager - 35666 - Environment Agency

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Title

Business Manager – 35666

City/Town

National

Region

National

Vacancies

Salary Minimum

£68,820

Post Type

Permanent

Job ID

35666

Closing date

12 Aug 2026

Published date

21 Jul 2026

Grade

Staff Grade 7

Role type

Business Management & Improvement

Post type

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Part Time Term Time, Compressed Hours

Security check

Basic Check

Attachments

Candidate Pack

Apply here

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join Project and Programme Delivery (PPD), in Flood and Coastal Risk Management, as Business Manager to the Director. Working directly with the Director and Leadership Team, you will help shape priorities, provide strategic advice, strengthen governance and drive organisational performance across a complex portfolio. Acting as a trusted adviser, you will connect strategy, risk, performance, workforce planning and continuous improvement so the department operates as one integrated system. You will build strong relationships across FCRM, corporate functions and delivery teams, coordinating business planning, leadership forums and improvement activity to support effective decision-making and delivery.We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community wishing to join a workforce which embraces difference and welcomes everyone.Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need to respond arises Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information on incident response can be found within your candidate pack

The Team:

Project and Programme Delivery (PPD) comprises around 650 staff and manages an annual portfolio exceeding £800 million. We deliver projects and programmes that help create a nation ready for and resilient to flooding and coastal erosion. As Business Manager, you will support the Director and Leadership Team to shape priorities, drive performance, strengthen departmental operations, work with FCRM business management colleagues and manage the Director’s Exec Office

Experience/Skills Required:

Essential• Experience working with senior leaders in a strategic advisory, business management or leadership support role - providing advice, challenge and support to senior leaders.• Strong political awareness and ability to navigate organisational complexity.• Ability to build trusted relationships and credibility quickly.• Experience leading work through influence rather than direct authority.• Excellent judgement and ability to balance strategic and operational priorities.• Strong understanding of governance, risk, performance and business planning.• Ability to interpret complex information and translate it into clear insight for decision-makers.• Strong strategic thinking skills and ability to connect operational activity to wider organisational priorities.Desirable• Experience delivering organisational improvement and change.• Experience supporting large programmes, portfolios or complex organisations.• Understanding of project and programme delivery.• Experience of workforce planning, resource management or financial oversight.

Contact and Additional Information:

Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement. Our flexible working supports a healthy work/life balance and offers numerous choices to accommodate the demands that personal commitments may present. Excellent training and learning opportunities are available, including personal and professional developmentBase location can be flexible but with an expectation of co-locating occasionally.For further information please contact: [email protected] to take place W/C 24/08/2026

Competence 1:

Influences and Persuades Others

Competence 1 Description:

Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: Key to your success in this role will be your ability to influence others. Please show your capability by telling us how you influenced others to change their plans, or approach something in a different way, to achieve the best outcome for the business?

"PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

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."

Competence 2:

Delivers Results Through Others

Competence 2 Description:

Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: In this role, you will need to work in partnership with others internally and externally. Please demonstrate this capability by telling us how you use the skills and experiences of others, to deliver joint outcomes?

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 3:

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Competence 3 Description:

Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection. "

Question: This role will be reactive, and you’ll need to take decisions and use your problem-solving skills to ensure you deliver your priorities. To demonstrate this capability please tell us how you have used your skills previously to tackle a difficult problem and deliver your aims.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

Competence 4:

Manages the Business

Competence 4 Description:

Understands the Environment Agency’s business processes and how to maximise the use of resources in an efficient and effective way

"When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.

CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection."

Question: This role requires you to support effective governance, performance and business management across a large and complex department. Please describe a time when you used business insight, planning and organisational processes to support effective decision-making and improve outcomes for your organisation.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.

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.

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