Description
Regulatory Team Leader (High Hazard)
£54,940 - £64,576 per annum (plus an additional £4,750 for specialist COMAH expertise, subject to eligibility)
Locations: Warrington, Newcastle, Darlington, Leeds, York, Lincoln, Nottingham, Sutton Coldfield, Tewkesbury, Bridgwater, Romsey, Welwyn Garden City, Farnham, Ipswich
Full time Permanent Flexible working available Staff Grade: 6
About the role
Are you ready to make a real difference? Join our High Hazard specialist team as a Regulatory Team Leader. You’ll lead a dedicated, values-driven team focused on enhancing regulation of COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015) sites across England.
As an experienced leader with an understanding of major industry, you will apply your regulatory and regime knowledge to manage a specialist regulatory team delivering compliance work funded through charge income. You will create an open, inclusive, and trusting culture where people can perform at their best and feel supported.
As a Team Leader, you’ll develop and adapt a delivery plan with your team, share good practice, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide assurance to the COMAH Regulatory Manager. You will lead your new team through cultural and business change, ensuring health, safety, and wellbeing while balancing workloads for maximum environmental impact.
What’s in it for you?
- A salary of £54,940 - £64,576 per annum.
- Additional allowance of £4,750 for specialist COMAH expertise (subject to eligibility).
- Generous 19% pension scheme.
- Overtime opportunities through standby and incident pay.
- 27 days annual leave (increasing up to 30 days) + 8 bank holidays.
- Two additional paid environmental outcome days for community work.
- Training and professional development time.
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave schemes.
- Flexible working options for work–life balance.
What you’ll do
In this role, you will lead a specialist team responsible for regulatory compliance across a range of COMAH sites, managing both experienced and new officers. You will:
- Assure delivery of complex activities, permits, and compliance at high-risk COMAH sites to achieve environmental outcomes.
- Support team members managing higher-risk sites or complex issues requiring strategic engagement.
- Make local regulatory and enforcement decisions, referring others for sign-off when required.
- Deliver the COMAH Investigations Manager role.
- Collaborate across COMAH teams to deliver operational plans, ensuring proportional regulation, consistency, and resource sharing.
- Influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve behaviour change for environmental benefit.
- Plan, monitor, and prioritise resources and budgets efficiently.
- Engage with operators, MPs, and community groups to address regulatory challenges and concerns.
Incident response: Responding to incidents is central to our work. You will hold an incident role and be available for response or business continuity support, with full training and potential additional pay.
The team
You’ll lead a newly formed team reporting to the COMAH Regulatory Manager. The team will work directly with site operators while collaborating with colleagues nationally and locally to enhance COMAH delivery and assurance. Your team will deliver inspections, audits, and incident investigations. An EA office base will be provided, and regular travel will be required. Flexible working is supported.
What you’ll need
With a proven record of collaboration and leadership, you’ll bring skills in managing and developing others effectively.
Essential
- Understanding of the COMAH Regulations or experience in a related regulatory or industry role.
- Strong leadership skills, with success in leading collaborative teams to achieve objectives.
- Working knowledge of Health, Safety & Wellbeing practices.
- Ability to coach, mentor, and inspire team members to achieve their potential.
- Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
- Ability to prioritise effectively and make evidence-based decisions.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to changing priorities.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.
- Membership (or working towards) of a relevant professional body.
Additional information
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the UK's largest environmental organisation. Join us to help tackle the challenges of a changing climate and build a sustainable future.
Security: Successful candidates must undergo criminal and counter-terrorism record checks.
Application deadline: 10th November 2025
Interview dates: Week commencing 1st December and 8th December 2025 (includes competency and technical assessments).
Candidates selected for interview will be notified by email at least five days in advance — please check inbox and junk folders. A reserve list may be held and alternative or temporary roles may be offered.
Artificial Intelligence can support your application, but all statements must be truthful and based on your experience. Plagiarism, including use of AI-generated content as your own, may result in withdrawal or disciplinary action. See our candidate guidance for details.
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