Environmental Management Systems Lead

This is a 12-15 month fixed term/ secondment opportunity.

We are looking for an Environmental Management System (EMS) Lead to join our Integrated Management System (IMS) team on a maternity cover basis.

As a member of the IMS team, you will play a key role in integrating our EMS with our asset management system, ensuring consistency and compliance across the business. With a clear focus on environmental management, you will lead the development, maintenance and continual improvement of the EMS, while ensuring it operates effectively as part of a wider integrated framework.

This role provides assurance that environmental requirements are embedded into how the organisation plans, manages and operates its assets, supporting regulatory compliance, risk management and sustainable outcomes.

What you’ll be doing as an Environmental Management Systems Lead

• Lead the development, maintenance and continual improvement of the Environmental Management System. (EMS)
• Ensure the EMS is effectively integrated within the wider Asset Management System (AMS)
• Act as the subject‑matter expert for the EMS, providing advice and guidance across the business.
• Work with stakeholders to embed consistent and compliant environmental ways of working
• Lead assurance activities, including audits, reviews, and management of corrective and improvement actions.
• Ensure environmental risks, obligations and controls are clearly reflected within management system arrangements.
• Translate management system requirements into clear, practical guidance that supports operational delivery.

What you should bring to the role:

The essential criteria to help you succeed in this role are:

• Experience leading or managing an Environmental Management System.
• An understanding of how environmental management systems integrate with wider management and asset management frameworks.
• Experience in scoping and delivering internal audits of EMS.
• Experience in coordinating and leading external ISO 14001 audits.
• Experience in developing and maintaining EMS standards, processes, and procedures.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• The ability to communicate requirements clearly and pragmatically.
• A continuous‑improvement mindset.

Why join the IMS team?

• You’ll hold a clear EMS leadership role within a central IMS function.
• You’ll influence how environmental requirements are embedded across the organisation.
• Your work will directly support compliant, sustainable and responsible asset management.
• You’ll be part of a professional team focused on assurance, consistency and continual improvement.

What this means for you

This is a maternity cover role for someone who wants to lead environmental management at a system level — not in isolation, but as part of an integrated approach that supports how assets are planned, operated and maintained across the business.

The successful candidate would benefit from transport access and a driving licence for this role.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary between £45,000 and £58,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Wate r

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.