Project Director - Kendal Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme - 35738

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Title

Project Director – Kendal Flood Risk Mitigation Scheme – 35738

City/Town

National

Region

National

Vacancies

Salary Minimum

£68,820

Post Type

Permanent

Job ID

35738

Closing date

23 Aug 2026

Published date

26 Jul 2026

Grade

Staff Grade 7

Role type

Project Delivery

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

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 looking for a Project Director to lead delivery of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme through construction phase, working closely with the Project Sponsor/Requirements Manager and delivery partners. Key responsibilities include:• Oversight of the project managers, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clearly understood• Owning the relationships with other organisations at a senior level Ensuring resourcing plans are in place for each phaseEffectively horizon scan for the unknowns outside the plan Providing technical expertise to support the team and embed best practice project management principles in change control, risk management and project governance Ensuring the project SRO and the Sponsor/Requirements Manager have confidence in delivery and a clear understanding of risks, issues and opportunities Embedding governance aligned to The Teal Book and ensuring appropriate escalation routes are followed for the resolution of critical issues Leading an effective and collaborative Project Management Office for the duration of the construction phase Enabling collaboration across our internal teams and delivery partners to ensure effective deliveryA rare opportunity to take a leading role in an iconic infrastructure scheme of regional significance. The project will increase the level of flood risk protection to homes and businesses in Kendal and its surroundings, enhance nature and the local environment and be a stimulus for the local economy.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:

We are Major Projects, sitting within Project and Programme Delivery (PPD). We create a better place through excellence in Major Project delivery aligned to The Teal Book and the Government Functional Standard for Project Delivery.We collaboratively deliver Major Projects throughout their lifecycle to reduce flood risk, deliver environmental improvements and reduce carbon, resulting in added value and a greater sense of shared ownership with local communities.

Experience/Skills Required:

• Strong leadership of multi-disciplinary teams to deliver results on large, technically challenging projects using collaborative behaviours• An ability and willingness to adapt and respond to the project's changing needs is essential• Experience and training in project leadership and contract management, ideally within engineering, construction, landscape, environment and/or flood & coastal risk management (PRINCE 2 or APMP qualification is desirable)• Strong awareness of the need for exemplary Health, Safety and Wellbeing behaviours• The ability to develop a resilient network of relationships with internal and external stakeholders, delivery partners, statutory authorities, landowners, and local communities• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills to manage reputational and political issues• A degree (or equivalent) in an engineering, environmental or geography related discipline is preferred• Chartered membership of a professional body such as ICE, CIWEM or APMP

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 development.Base location can be flexible but with an expectation of co-locating in the NW Hub or delivery partner offices at least 2 days per week.For further information please contact: Sonal Mitra ([email protected])Interviews due to take place w/c: 21/9/26

Competence 1:

Programme and Project Management

Competence 1 Description:

Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives cost-effectively.

"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: Please tell us about a complex project that you have led on, describing how you managed the project delivery team including technical specialists, senior users and contractors as well as managing costs, timeliness and the quality of deliverables.

"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: Tell us about a time when you have demonstrated adaptive approaches in your leadership to deliver a task through others. What action did you take to make sure it stayed on track, how did you motivate people and what was the outcome?

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:

Leads People

Competence 3 Description:

Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency

"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: Give an example of when you have led your team to accomplish significant achievements in difficult circumstances.

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:

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Competence 4 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: Please give an example of a problem you have solved that you're proud of, and explain why you solved it the way you did and what the alternative solutions might have been.

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 5:

Manages Self

Competence 5 Description:

Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role in the Environment Agency.

"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: Please describe how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for the role detailed. What do you see are your development areas?

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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