Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Manager - 35003
CompanyEnvironment Agency
Location
Hexham, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeFull-time
Posted At6/5/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (55.0%).
Occupation TypeHealth and safety managers and officers
Occupation Code Skill LevelMedium Skilled
Sponsorship EligibilityIneligible for Sponsorship
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Description
Job Description
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.
Reporting to the Deputy Director for Energy and Manufacturing Industries, we are seeking a strategic thinking, technical leader to lead the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Team through an exciting period of change.
You will lead the Environment Agency’s relationship with its partners in the COMAH Competent Authority, ensuring the EA can operate effectively and autonomously within that relationship, to deliver effective environmental outcomes for COMAH regulation in England.
You will work collaboratively with Environment Agency Operational teams and external partners such as site operators and trade associations and will advise and influence government departments on policy.
You will oversee change and improvement to the COMAH regime, including new and improved IT systems, training, guidance and ways of working to ensure we provide respected and valued expertise to senior leaders and to industry. Your technical expertise will allow you to effectively steer the COMAH team and influence critical partners to ensure the protection of the environment from the consequences of major industrial accidents.
You will nurture your team to be the best and support embedding change across the COMAH regime within the EA.
Flexible working patterns are an option for this vacancy.
Please get in touch if you require any adjustments for the application and / or interview process.
The team
You will be part of the Energy and Manufacturing Industries management team within the Environment & Business Directorate.
Working closely with Operations colleagues and others, your team comprises senior advisors, data analyst and project support officer, supporting frontline staff in the regulation of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regime.
This is a national role in a dispersed team and there may be occasions where travel is needed to attend team and stakeholder meetings.
Experience/skills Required
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.
Reporting to the Deputy Director for Energy and Manufacturing Industries, we are seeking a strategic thinking, technical leader to lead the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Team through an exciting period of change.
You will lead the Environment Agency’s relationship with its partners in the COMAH Competent Authority, ensuring the EA can operate effectively and autonomously within that relationship, to deliver effective environmental outcomes for COMAH regulation in England.
You will work collaboratively with Environment Agency Operational teams and external partners such as site operators and trade associations and will advise and influence government departments on policy.
You will oversee change and improvement to the COMAH regime, including new and improved IT systems, training, guidance and ways of working to ensure we provide respected and valued expertise to senior leaders and to industry. Your technical expertise will allow you to effectively steer the COMAH team and influence critical partners to ensure the protection of the environment from the consequences of major industrial accidents.
You will nurture your team to be the best and support embedding change across the COMAH regime within the EA.
Flexible working patterns are an option for this vacancy.
Please get in touch if you require any adjustments for the application and / or interview process.
The team
You will be part of the Energy and Manufacturing Industries management team within the Environment & Business Directorate.
Working closely with Operations colleagues and others, your team comprises senior advisors, data analyst and project support officer, supporting frontline staff in the regulation of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regime.
This is a national role in a dispersed team and there may be occasions where travel is needed to attend team and stakeholder meetings.
Experience/skills Required
Candidates should have excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate people to deliver outcomes in a fast paced and changing environment.
Knowledge of the COMAH regime and experience of environmental regulation is essential, this can be either as a regulator or within a regulated business context.
You should have strong influencing skills and be able to manage relationships and networks effectively, comfortably liaising with senior leaders within and outside the Environment Agency. Excellent written and verbal communications skills are a must.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.
You’ll have an EA Office base location. As a national role the working location is flexible. Hybrid office/home working is an option.
Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement along with flexible working arrangements. Excellent personal and professional development opportunities are available.
Please read the packs attached. For any queries contact chris.jenkins@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Competence 1
Leads People
Description
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.
Please provide an example of where you have nurtured a team to be their best, delivering improved outcomes for the business.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Knowledge of the COMAH regime and experience of environmental regulation is essential, this can be either as a regulator or within a regulated business context.
You should have strong influencing skills and be able to manage relationships and networks effectively, comfortably liaising with senior leaders within and outside the Environment Agency. Excellent written and verbal communications skills are a must.
You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
Contact and additional information
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.
You’ll have an EA Office base location. As a national role the working location is flexible. Hybrid office/home working is an option.
Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement along with flexible working arrangements. Excellent personal and professional development opportunities are available.
Please read the packs attached. For any queries contact chris.jenkins@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Competence 1
Leads People
Description
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.
Please provide an example of where you have nurtured a team to be their best, delivering improved outcomes for the business.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Competence 2
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Please tell us about a time when you have introduced and embedded a change to the business model, ensuring buy-in at all levels, where those affected needed convincing.
Competence 3
Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
Please describe how you have delivered outcomes for the business using others within and outside of your direct reporting line.
Competence 4
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Please give an example of a tricky business problem you have solved using innovative ideas, based on strong evidence.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Please tell us about a time when you have introduced and embedded a change to the business model, ensuring buy-in at all levels, where those affected needed convincing.
Competence 3
Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
Please describe how you have delivered outcomes for the business using others within and outside of your direct reporting line.
Competence 4
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
Please give an example of a tricky business problem you have solved using innovative ideas, based on strong evidence.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know 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. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.