Principal Policy Lead

Join Ofwat's Major Projects and Markets Directorate as a Principal Policy Lead!

About Us

We're Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority - a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

As the economic regulator of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, our role is to enable, incentivise and hold companies to account for providing the very best for customers, communities and the environment now and in the future. We also oversee the markets in the water sector to ensure they're working for customers.

The work that you'll be involved in every day will help us to deliver our strategy, to make us the regulator we want to be and help the sector to deliver for customers and society.

The Role

We are looking for Principal Policy Lead to join our Business Retail Market team, part of the Major Projects and Markets directorate.

The Business retail Market team has a multi-faceted programme of work aimed at improving the Business Retail Market so that it delivers better outcomes for customers, society and the environment. Now is a particularly exciting time to join the team as we are at an important juncture in the development of the market - we have recently established revised industry governance arrangements through the creation of a Strategic Panel and Code Change Committee. Work is underway to reform the market's incentive framework and revised retail price caps for the Business Retail Market recently came into force.

You will lead and support a number of strategically important workstreams. These are likely to include leading Ofwat's role in understanding and strengthening customer protections, improving trading parties' support for the market, and working with industry and stakeholders to deliver change. As you will be part of a small and dynamic team, you will also work flexibly across the team's various functions relating to the Business Retail Market. You will also represent Ofwat on industry Committees and Working Groups as appropriate.

We seek a Principal who can lead work from a policy perspective. Given the role is related to competitive retail markets, we would also particularly welcome candidates who have some knowledge or experience of economics or applying economic principles in a regulated context and/or regarding competitive markets.

Why Join Us:

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to our purpose to drive water companies to deliver more for customers and the environment.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile working and a culture of trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with meaningful collaboration in our London or Birmingham offices.

Other Benefits:

• Excellent employer pension contribution ranging from £15,942 to £23,176per annum. 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
• Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.

What you bring

Experience, skills and knowledge:

1. Lead criteria 1: Skills and experience in formulating, presenting, and writing clear and concise evidence-based advice to inform policy making, decision building and recommendations, for a range of audiences and to encourage and respond to constructive challenge to build confidence in decision-making. This would ideally be from a public policy or regulatory policy background.
2. Lead criteria 2: Knowledge or experience of markets, competition and regulation, and the benefits markets and competition can deliver for customers. This would ideally include the identification and application of relevant economic, legal and policy frameworks and requirements.
3. Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience of identifying, analysing and accurately interpreting a range of information and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
4. Ability to effectively plan, prioritise and deliver large projects and programmes of work both directly and by managing multi-disciplinary teams, and where necessary external advisors/consultants.
5. Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations, and priorities, and to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.

Attributes:

• Delivers Outcomes
• Champion and Leader of Change
• Makes Relationships Count
• Adaptable Thinker

Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Principal Grade. You can read more about our attributes here .

To read more about the role and selection process, please follow the link to apply.

Applications Deadline: 23.55 on 10 November 2024.