32856 - External Affairs Manager - Head of Strategic Engagemen
| Posting date: | 22 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £68,820 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 February 2026 |
| Location: | UK |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week |
| Company: | Environment Agency |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 32856 |
Summary
The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.
The Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate support the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) vision by creating and developing ways to deliver environmental outcomes and improvements. Using evidence, innovation, and our expert teams, we secure resources, influence policy and legislation – enhancing the delivery of a better environment.
We’re looking for an experienced communications and engagement professional who can lead across the Directorate, into the wider organisation, and with external stakeholders, government and partners.
Much of your role will be high profile and both internal and external facing. Your portfolio will be varied, and you’ll lead how we engage on high profile topics such as water resources and environment strategy. You’ll lead and manage the relationships with communication teams including those across the Defra group and other government departments to ensure a one organisation approach to E&B external relations.
You’ll build strategic external affairs plans and evaluation linked to major outcomes and strategies – and you’ll use your and your team’s expertise to shape external relations on all aspects of strategic development.
You’ll ensure continuous improvement and upskilling of the senior team, and develop tools for the wider team, to improve everyone’s overall contribution to external and internal strategic relationships goals.
You’ll play a critical role in the E&B External Affairs leadership team, as well as embedding yourself into the directorate – providing professional advice and guidance to help E&B senior leaders engage with individuals, business, and communities.
This is a fantastic career opportunity from which the right individual could advance to anywhere across the EA, into wider government and beyond.
The team
The E&B External Affairs team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and organisations; strengthening our voice and influence so that our work is better known, trusted, and has greater impact.
You’ll be part of a highly talented, multi-disciplinary team. Based at various locations across the country, E&B External Affairs will hold relationships with Defra, Government and our Executive Directors.
Experience/skills required
You will be an experienced communications and engagement specialist – with great judgement and collaboration skills. You’ll have:
Proven experience in developing and influencing strategic outcomes with a range of stakeholders
Experience leading, managing and delivering strategic external affairs strategies
Experience of communicating complex ideas and proposals effectively
An ability to influence and persuade people at all levels.
Self-motivated and able to work under own initiative and as part of a larger, often cross-functional, or multidisciplinary team.
Extremely organised with an attention to detail and ability to achieve results through others.
Discrete and an ability to work on sensitive issues and confidential matters.
The Environment and Business (E&B) Directorate support the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) vision by creating and developing ways to deliver environmental outcomes and improvements. Using evidence, innovation, and our expert teams, we secure resources, influence policy and legislation – enhancing the delivery of a better environment.
We’re looking for an experienced communications and engagement professional who can lead across the Directorate, into the wider organisation, and with external stakeholders, government and partners.
Much of your role will be high profile and both internal and external facing. Your portfolio will be varied, and you’ll lead how we engage on high profile topics such as water resources and environment strategy. You’ll lead and manage the relationships with communication teams including those across the Defra group and other government departments to ensure a one organisation approach to E&B external relations.
You’ll build strategic external affairs plans and evaluation linked to major outcomes and strategies – and you’ll use your and your team’s expertise to shape external relations on all aspects of strategic development.
You’ll ensure continuous improvement and upskilling of the senior team, and develop tools for the wider team, to improve everyone’s overall contribution to external and internal strategic relationships goals.
You’ll play a critical role in the E&B External Affairs leadership team, as well as embedding yourself into the directorate – providing professional advice and guidance to help E&B senior leaders engage with individuals, business, and communities.
This is a fantastic career opportunity from which the right individual could advance to anywhere across the EA, into wider government and beyond.
The team
The E&B External Affairs team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and organisations; strengthening our voice and influence so that our work is better known, trusted, and has greater impact.
You’ll be part of a highly talented, multi-disciplinary team. Based at various locations across the country, E&B External Affairs will hold relationships with Defra, Government and our Executive Directors.
Experience/skills required
You will be an experienced communications and engagement specialist – with great judgement and collaboration skills. You’ll have:
Proven experience in developing and influencing strategic outcomes with a range of stakeholders
Experience leading, managing and delivering strategic external affairs strategies
Experience of communicating complex ideas and proposals effectively
An ability to influence and persuade people at all levels.
Self-motivated and able to work under own initiative and as part of a larger, often cross-functional, or multidisciplinary team.
Extremely organised with an attention to detail and ability to achieve results through others.
Discrete and an ability to work on sensitive issues and confidential matters.