City/Town
All
Region
National
Vacancies
1
Salary Minimum
£68,820
Post Type
Permanent
Job ID
34601
Closing date
07 Jun 2026
Published date
25 May 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 7
Role type
Commercial
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
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.
We are seeking an experienced and strategic senior leader to head our Commercial Services function, providing expert leadership across contract management, commercial risk, and supplier performance within a complex delivery environment.
Reporting into the Commercial and Framework Management Deputy Director, you will lead a high-performing team of commercial specialists, setting direction and building capability to ensure effective delivery of commercial services across a large and diverse portfolio.
You will be accountable for the development and implementation of commercial strategies that drive value for money, support organisational objectives, and ensure robust governance across the commercial lifecycle.
A key aspect of the role is providing senior oversight of contract management and commercial risk, including early intervention to prevent disputes and support delivery teams with expert advice. You will foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, influencing at senior levels to deliver successful outcomes and continuous improvement.
You will bring significant experience in commercial and contract management, ideally within construction or infrastructure, with a strong understanding of NEC contracts and public sector commercial standards. Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams, alongside the ability to operate strategically and make evidence-based decisions, is essential.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills are vital, together with a commitment to developing people, driving innovation, and embedding a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
The Operational Commercial Services team oversees the full lifecycle of call off contracts that are awarded through our commercial frameworks. These frameworks support the Environment Agency and other Risk Management Authorities to deliver our investment programme, maintenance, safety improvements and technical services.
The team is nationally dispersed and works collaboratively through a combination of virtual working, regular all team events and framework specific engagement with delivery partners.
Travel, including overnight stays, is required.
We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager to lead our Commercial Services team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong track record in commercial management, including contract development, supplier relationship management, and delivering value for money.
You will have significant experience leading high-performing teams, driving strategic outcomes, and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
A deep understanding of procurement, financial management, and risk mitigation is essential, alongside the ability to translate organisational objectives into effective commercial strategies. You will be confident operating in a fast-paced environment, making sound decisions, and managing competing priorities.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills are critical, as is a commitment to continuous improvement and delivering customer-focused services.
Experience in public sector or regulated environments is desirable, as is a relevant professional qualification such as CIPS or equivalent.
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 development.
National role with flexible base location. Occasional travel to our six hub or partner offices is expected.
For more information, contact Chris Wilson, Deputy Director (Commercial & Framework Management) by email: [email protected]
Interviews for this role are in person, in Leeds, and will include a presentation. These are scheduled for w/c 6 July 2026.
An open evening, where you can find out more details, will be held on Thursday 4th June 2026, 17:30-18:30 use this link to register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c0f0f5-0d17-49d0-a13d-c6d755bf44f9@770a2450-0227-4c62-90c7-4e38537f1102
#LI-DNI
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 the ability to work well with others.
Please describe a time when you built and sustained relationships across multiple internal and/or external stakeholders with differing priorities to achieve a shared outcome.
How did you establish trust, manage tensions or conflicts, and maintain those relationships over time?
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.
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 and your team will work in partnership with others internally and externally.
Describe a time when you secured the commitment of others outside your team to deliver a shared objective. How did you influence, coordinate and support them?
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.
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'll be managing a team across the contract lifecycle, some of which operate for a number of years.
Can you describe a time that you have led a team in managing a long term contract. How did you ensure sustained value delivery, performance and adaptability over the life of the contract?
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.
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 plays a key part in leading and embedding change associated with new ways of working and new frameworks.
Describe a time when you led or supported a significant change that affected how people worked or delivered outcomes.
How did you gain commitment, manage resistance, and ensure the change was successfully embedded?
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.