Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,550 per annum

About the Role
This nationally based role sits within the national Water, Coast and Pollution Team (WCP) in the Strategy Group at Natural England. The team aims to deliver a healthy, resilient, and naturally functioning water environment at the heart of the Nature Recovery Network, working in partnership and valued by society. Key work areas include water sector reform, water company plans, natural flood management, engagement with the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme, land management schemes advice and support, diffuse water pollution, and river restoration.

As a Senior Officer, you will lead Natural England’s input into water-related projects and plans, providing strong strategic leadership both internally and externally. You will coordinate input from across the organisation, drawing on technical expertise to strengthen advice and ensure alignment with wider nature recovery goals. Your role will include contributing to briefings for senior leaders and representing Natural England in key discussions.

This is a fast-moving and evolving area of work, offering an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value and influence of Natural England’s expertise. You will collaborate across programmes and teams focused on Water, Floods, Biodiversity, the Nature Recovery Network, and Agri-Environment schemes to support integrated delivery. Strong partnership working and influencing skills are essential, alongside adaptability and a willingness to reprioritise as needed.

Key responsibilities include providing technical leadership on topics such as agriculture regulatory reform related to water and soil health, agricultural advice and incentives to meet Environment Act targets, water company price review processes, water resource management plans, regional water planning including River Basin Management Plan reform, and reforming the water planning framework (water company plans). You will also provide technical advice on complex issues to operational teams, government departments, and regulators, build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, contribute to new programme development and pilots, participate in horizon scanning for emerging policy issues, maintain project management tools, and adapt to new priorities as required.

Experience
- Experience working in freshwater environment policy or delivery (essential)
- Experience with water company strategic plans (essential)
- Knowledge of wider regulatory reform relating to water (essential)
- Experience of agricultural regulations, advice, and incentives to improve the water environment (desirable)
- Project management experience (desirable)
- Understanding of wider water policy and planning context, including River Basin Management Plans, Price Review, Water Framework Directive, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy (desirable)
- Understanding of wider environmental policy such as the Environment Act, Farming Roadmap, 25 Year Environment Plan, Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), and Cunliffe Review (desirable)

About you
- Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve Natural England’s aims (essential)
- Ability to use professional judgement, evidence, and a pragmatic risk-based approach to decision making (essential)
- Strong partnership working and influencing skills
- Adaptability and willingness to change priorities as required
- Ability to manage and deliver work to meet agreed targets and deadlines
- Ability to nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes aligned with Natural England’s vision and mission
- Ability to make and explain objective decisions combining professional judgement and evidence
- Use clear and appropriate language and communication styles to engage audiences

Qualifications
Please refer to the job description for detailed person specification and qualifications.