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. 

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Energy and Manufacturing Industries, we are seeking a strategic thinking, technical leader to lead the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Team through an exciting period of change.

You will lead the Environment Agency’s relationship with its partners in the COMAH Competent Authority, ensuring the EA can operate effectively and autonomously within that relationship, to deliver effective environmental outcomes for COMAH regulation in England.

You will work collaboratively with Environment Agency Operational teams and external partners such as site operators and trade associations and will advise and influence government departments on policy.

You will oversee change and improvement to the COMAH regime, including new and improved IT systems, training, guidance and ways of working to ensure we provide respected and valued expertise to senior leaders and to industry. Your technical expertise will allow you to effectively steer the COMAH team and influence critical partners to ensure the protection of the environment from the consequences of major industrial accidents.

You will nurture your team to be the best and support embedding change across the COMAH regime within the EA.

Flexible working patterns are an option for this vacancy.

Please get in touch if you require any adjustments for the application and / or interview process.

You will be part of the Energy and Manufacturing Industries management team within the Environment & Business Directorate.

Working closely with Operations colleagues and others, your team comprises senior advisors, data analyst and project support officer, supporting frontline staff in the regulation of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regime.

This is a national role in a dispersed team and there may be occasions where travel is needed to attend team and stakeholder meetings.

Candidates should have excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate people to deliver outcomes in a fast paced and changing environment.

Knowledge of the COMAH regime and experience of environmental regulation is essential, this can be either as a regulator or within a regulated business context.

You should have strong influencing skills and be able to manage relationships and networks effectively, comfortably liaising with senior leaders within and outside the Environment Agency. Excellent written and verbal communications skills are a must.

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location. As a national role the working location is flexible. Hybrid office/home working is an option.

Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement along with flexible working arrangements. Excellent personal and professional development opportunities are available.

Please read the packs attached. For any queries contact [email protected].

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.