Deputy Director, Asset Management Systems - 32401
2 days ago
Southampton
Job Description The Deputy Director, Asset Management Systems is a strategic leadership role within the Environment Agency’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management Directorate. This postholder will lead the development and delivery of national asset systems, ensuring that our infrastructure data, digital tools, and operational frameworks support safe, resilient, and sustainable flood risk management across England. You will be responsible for shaping the agency’s approach to asset data governance, digital innovation, and systems integration, ensuring that our asset management capabilities are future-ready and aligned with statutory, environmental, and operational priorities. Working closely with internal and external partners, you will champion the use of data and digital technologies to improve decision-making, investment assurance, and incident response. Leading a team of around 50 professionals, including technical specialists, data analysts, and systems developers, you will foster a collaborative culture that values innovation, transparency, and shared accountability. You will oversee the development of national asset systems, including the strategic roadmap for digital tools, data standards, and operational protocols that underpin our flood defence infrastructure. This role is central to shaping the future of asset management in the Environment Agency, ensuring that our systems are robust, responsive, and aligned with the needs of communities, regulators, and delivery partners. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment. Full training and flexible alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role. The Environment Agency values difference. That’s why we are fully committed to being an inclusive employer. 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 team One of three Deputy Directors reporting to the Chief Engineer/ Director Standards, Asset Management and Engineering, this team leads the development and delivery of national asset systems for flood and coastal risk management. Comprising around 50 specialists across data, digital, and operational disciplines, the team works in close partnership with engineering, incident response, and investment colleagues. The culture is inclusive, collaborative, and focused on delivering resilient infrastructure outcomes through innovative systems and shared accountability. Experience/skills Required You will have held a senior leadership role in asset management or infrastructure systems within a complex, safety-critical organisation. You must demonstrate strategic oversight of digital systems, data governance, and operational frameworks, alongside excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills. Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering national programmes is essential. You will have a deep understanding of UK infrastructure policy, asset management standards, and statutory frameworks. Familiarity with digital transformation, systems integration, and investment assurance is highly desirable. You must be professionally qualified with a relevant institution (e.g. CIWEM, IAM, ICE, or equivalent). Chartered status is expected; Fellowship is desirable but not essential. Contact and additional information You will work from a flexible office base at one of the Environment Agency offices or depots, located throughout England. You will be expected to travel relatively frequently, including into London and Birmingham, and to visit EA assets across the country as required to fulfil your role and incident response duties. A candidate briefing call will take place for candidates interested in hearing more about this role. This will take place on 4 December at 1pm. For an invitation to this call please contact: Candidate Assessments will take place week commencing 19th January 2026. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates. For further information please contact: Role specific professional membership requirements CIWEM. IAM, ICE or equivalent If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team. 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, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit ___ for more information. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. 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