Water Resources Manager

Job Description

Are you passionate about ensuring we have enough water for people, business, and the environment? With a large part of the economy now depending on reliable water supplies, do you want to help secure the water resources needed for nature and for growth?

You will lead a department in Operations Catchment Services, with over 70 technical experts, who deliver a national water resources service including:

• Shaping and scrutinising Water companies' statutory Water Resource Management Plans
• Providing expert input to the National Framework for Water Resources
• Managing programmes to deliver sustainable abstraction
• Drought planning and drought management
• Developing talent and skills in water planning
• National modelling for water resources and groundwater

As an inspiring leader you will champion health, safety and wellbeing; foster inclusion; and actively support the growth and development of your people. You will lead the operational delivery of services, ensuring resources are used effectively, priorities are met, and performance is efficient and demonstrable.

You will also take a wider leadership role as part of the Operations Catchment Services Leadership Team.

• Provide expert input to the National Framework for Water Resources.
• Manage programmes to deliver sustainable abstraction.
• Drought planning and drought management.
• Develop talent and skills in water planning.
• Lead national modelling for water resources and groundwater.
• Shape and scrutinise statutory Water Resource Management Plans.

• Demonstrate a passion for developing individuals and teams to be their best, creating an open, inclusive, trusting culture where everyone can be themselves.
• Have excellent stakeholder management skills with a strong customer focus and well‑honed influencing skills.
• Think strategically, spotting links and connections to identify opportunities, while simplifying to focus on delivering what matters.
• Maintain a working knowledge of water resources management and understand environmental, political, and economic pressures affecting water companies and related sectors.

• Authentic leadership with a strong team focus and belief in protecting people and the environment.
• Passion for developing individuals and teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking with ability to simplify complex problems.
• Working knowledge of water resources management and awareness of sector pressures.

We value a diverse workforce and welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled, female and LGBT+ candidates.

Please include information regarding preferred working arrangements.

This role can be based at any of the Environment Agency offices across England. Please read the Candidate Pack for information. Any queries, contact Stewart Mounsey, Deputy Director, Operations Catchment Services via ocsadm
.

Applications are “blind” assessed. Interviews will be held via MS Teams on 27 January 2026.

If you consent, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

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.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability.

The Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service; therefore eligibility for continuous service does not apply.