Location
Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Hours
Full Time (flexible working patterns available, including job share)

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
We are seeking an outstanding lawyer and leader to join the Environment Agency as our Flood & Planning Senior Managing Lawyer. In this role, you will lead the Flood & Planning legal team, delivering high-quality and efficient legal services that support the EA Corporate Strategy, Business Plan, and Legal Strategy. You will provide timely, pragmatic, and risk-based legal advice on flood and coastal erosion risk management, planning, and related public law matters. The team’s work covers statutory powers and duties, policy and legislation, projects and operational delivery, regulation, enforcement, appeals, litigation, and flood incidents.

You will set the strategic direction for the team, plan and prioritise work, and manage people and financial resources to meet time, cost, and quality targets. Working largely autonomously, you will lead on the most complex, sensitive, and high-profile legal matters, drawing on your specialist expertise and that of the wider team. You will advise and influence senior clients, including Executive Managers and the Executive Directors Team, supporting sound, lawful, and risk-based decision-making.

As a trusted partner, you will lead client care, build clients’ legal capability, and maintain effective relationships with government lawyers, partner organisations, counsel, and other external providers. As a senior leader within Legal and Audit Services, you will role model EA guiding principles and leadership behaviours, recruit, develop, and motivate colleagues, promote wellbeing and inclusion, and lead performance management and organisational change.

You will also lead agreed cross-cutting portfolios that contribute to the Legal Strategy and improve services across Legal Services, adapting the team’s work and supporting collaboration across teams as organisational needs evolve. We are fully committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome flexible working arrangements.

Experience
Proven experience as a senior lawyer with expertise in flood and coastal erosion risk management, planning, and public law. Demonstrated leadership experience managing legal teams and delivering complex, high-profile legal advice. Experience advising senior clients and managing relationships with external legal providers.

About you
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop colleagues. Excellent strategic planning and organisational skills. Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities effectively. Commitment to promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and an inclusive working environment. Flexible and adaptable to changing organisational needs and priorities.

Qualifications
Qualified solicitor or barrister with relevant legal qualifications. Specialist knowledge in environmental, planning, and public law is essential. Commitment to continuous professional development and leadership excellence.