Job Description

The Director of National Operations Delivery role is a very significant leadership role in Natural England (NE), supporting the Chief Officer of Operations (COO) and working closely with the Regional Directors of Operations.

You will lead a dispersed team of over 300 people to deliver activities that are undertaken nationally for customers and partners. This includes some of Natural Englands highest profile delivery such as wildlife licensing and enforcement work, high risk and complex casework for major infrastructure projects, planning responses, and species re-introductions. You will ensure a risk-based and proportionate approach, and that the right specialist support is provided to Area teams at the right time.

You will be responsible for securing the confidence of partners and stakeholders at a very senior level across a range of sensitive issues, managing delivery risk and Natural England's reputation. This includes with Ministers and officials, MPs, Natural England Board members, the private sector, and environmental NGOs. This is a large and complex portfolio of work. You will need to be able to cut through highly complex legal and scientific issues to quickly identify delivery and reputational risks and appropriate action.

A review and reform of delivery (structures and ways of working) is also needed across our National and Area delivery. You will play a leading role in this reform, including strengthening how our national teams better support place-based delivery in Area teams. In addition, our services require a step change in automation, digitisation, customer service and efficiency. This will need a leader who can encourage innovation in delivery and inspire and motivate people to deliver these major reforms.

Alongside this you will lead the organisation as Operational sponsor for one of our 6 strategic programmes working with the existing Programme Directors in our Strategy team to plan, allocate resource, and assure delivery of our goals. You will provide assurance to the Natural England Delivery Committee for delivery including associated Performance Indicators and Management Information.

As a Director in Natural England, you will provide inspiring, collaborative and inclusive leadership across the organisation and be a significant change agent within Operations.