The Environment Agency (EA) works to create a better place for people and wildlife. We protect and improve the environment, support sustainable growth, and help communities adapt to a changing climate. Our EA2030 strategy sets out how we will go further, including our commitment to become a net zero organisation by 2030. Defra Group Fleet Services has a key role in this, leading the move to a net zero carbon fleet.
This is a great opportunity to take on a senior role where you can make a real impact. You will join a team of fleet and commercial specialists and help deliver ambitious sustainability goals, supporting positive change across the organisation.
In this role, you will lead on high value and complex procurements and service contracts for the Environment Agency and our Defra partners. You will work with senior colleagues to understand business needs, develop commercial approaches, and manage the full procurement process from tender through to contract award.
You will also manage important supplier relationships to make sure contracts deliver strong performance and good value over time. This includes setting clear expectations, monitoring performance, and working with suppliers to reduce environmental impact while keeping services safe, compliant, and cost effective.
We are looking for someone who can lead with confidence, build strong relationships, and influence others.
You will need to be organised, able to handle competing priorities, and motivated to deliver results in a busy and purpose driven environment.The team
Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) delivers a coordinated fleet service across the Defra group, driving consistency, efficiency and innovation as part of the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate.
The Contracts team leads procurement, shapes requirements and manages suppliers to ensure effective, value-driven services.
This senior role reports to the Strategic Fleet Manager for Contracts, offering significant autonomy, ownership and the opportunity to influence key decisions and improve fleet service delivery.Experience/skills required
-Build and maintain strategic relationships with senior internal/external stakeholders to influence decisions, support organisational priorities, and enhance the EA’s reputation.
-Act as the fleet commercial authority, providing expert contract advice and delivering innovative, compliant solutions aligned with government standards, policy, and best practice.
-Lead policy and governance by developing and improving frameworks, processes, and standards at national and local levels.
-Generate meaningful insight by overseeing systems that monitor contract performance, compliance, and risk, translating data into clear recommendations for senior leaders.
-Drive supplier performance through effective contract management, ensuring delivery against service, quality, and contractual commitments while achieving value for money.
-Bring over five years’ experience managing complex or high-value contracts, with a proven track record of improving supplier outcomes.
-Apply strong commercial acumen and knowledge of public sector procurement; –
-Defra experience is advantageous.
-Lead confidently, managing competing priorities, delivering results with autonomy and pace.Contact and additional information
This is a national role with an EA office base; however, working arrangements are flexible and hybrid. You’ll be comfortable being part of dispersed team leading and supporting others. You’ll be working largely remotely using digital tools, with occasional travel to EA offices and national meetings, which may include overnight stays.
You will have an inclusive incident management objective within your development plan, and we will support you in finding a role that suits your needs. Appropriate training will be provided. Please refer to the candidate pack for further details.
A Teams drop-in session will be held from 1–2pm on 22 June 2026 to provide more information and answer questions. Please email to [email protected] to attend.
Interviews are scheduled for 28 and 29 July.
