Deputy Director Thames Strategy and Partnership

The Environment Agency plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing England's environment, helping communities adapt to climate change and building resilience to flood and coastal erosion risk. With over 13,000 employees across England, we work at the heart of some of the country's most important environmental and infrastructure challenges, creating a better place for people and wildlife. We are now seeking a Deputy Director, Thames Strategy & Partnerships to join our Thames Programme Delivery Directorate. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of flood resilience for London, the Thames Estuary and the wider River Thames through leadership of some of the UK's most significant and ambitious infrastructure programmes. Reporting to the Director of Thames Programme Delivery, you will play a pivotal role in developing the long-term strategy, business cases, funding approaches and partnerships required to support the future of the Thames Estuary 2100 programme and major investment across the River Thames. At a crucial stage in programme development, you will help define the pathway for multi-billion-pound investment decisions that will protect communities, infrastructure and economic growth for generations to come. This is a highly influential role operating at the intersection of policy, strategy, infrastructure and government. You will lead engagement across Whitehall, working closely with HM Treasury, Defra and other government departments to secure support for future investment programmes and Spending Reviews. You will also build trusted relationships with Ministers, local authorities, delivery partners and industry leaders to help shape the future of one of the UK's most important resilience programmes. We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader with experience of developing major programmes, securing investment and operating in complex stakeholder environments. You may have gained your experience in central government, infrastructure, transport, energy, environmental resilience or another major project setting. Most importantly, you will bring strategic judgement, political awareness and the ability to navigate complex challenges while maintaining focus on long-term outcomes. The role offers the opportunity to lead major feasibility and options development work, influence national investment decisions, and help shape the future delivery model for programmes that are expected to become increasingly prominent within government's major projects portfolio. It is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience of London and the Thames Estuary in the face of climate change. Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Environment Agency on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OBRZS. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 26th October.