Head of Turnaround Policy and Performance

Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working

About Us

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Our work has genuine significance - no other organisation does the work we do. It's unique and meaningful: keeping our water flowing; ensuring water bills don't cost a penny more than needed; holding water companies to account. Come and work at the source of everyday life.

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Turnaround Policy and Performance to lead on Ofwat's oversight activities for companies in our Turnaround Oversight Regime. This is a high-profile role which will lead and drive necessary turnaround performance monitoring for poorly performing companies and will support our evolving approach to how we regulate the sector.

You will be managing a matrix team within Ofwat and leading on Ofwat's activities and relationship interface with advisors, water company(s) and government stakeholders. Your role will be instrumental in developing constructive outcomes to companies with deep operational and financial resilience challenges and setting a strategic course in an uncertain and complex landscape. You will be supported by a matrix of technical, legal, data and analytical expertise across Ofwat. We will shortly transition from the 2020-25 period to the 2025-30 period. With a new regulatory period comes the prospect of change, reset and opportunity to really shape the sustainable future of the water sector; particularly on how we as the economic regulator hold companies to account for performance. You will help create the conditions for delivering meaningful and transformational change for customers, stakeholders and the environment.

Experience of working within the water sector is desirable, however, we will consider applications from a variety of regulatory backgrounds (for example, water, energy, rail, telecoms etc. In fields such as; regulation, policy/strategy development, economics, operations, finance).

You will work closely with colleagues within the directorate, across Ofwat and the wider industry. This role will require you to adapt to different working styles, working collaboratively across different teams, organisations and disciplines. Building trusted and collaborative relationships, synthesising data and insight from a variety of teams and sources will be essential to success.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential experience, skills, knowledge and attributes:

1. Lead Criterion: Expert knowledge and proven experience leading on policy development and delivery in a regulatory environment (e.g. water, energy, rail, telecoms etc.) including appraising options, developing strategies, and formulating approaches.
2. Excellent project management skills, experience of leading significant programmes of work fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment and providing constructive challenge to drive change.
3. Degree level (or equivalent) qualification or equivalent knowledge/experience in a technical field including, but not limited to, regulation, economics, commercial and operational disciplines, finance.
4. Excellent understanding of regulation including data led monitoring of performance, protecting customers and how to effectively prioritise risks and issues, ensuring our work is impactful and value is delivered.
5. An understanding of company financing, how companies access the debt and equity and the risks around low levels of financial resilience and how that can impact on operational performance would be useful but not essential.
6. Experience of leading others (including consultants and suppliers) and managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines - including an ability to work independently, and as part of a team using creativity and innovative approaches.
7. Ability to work with senior internal and external stakeholders across multiple disciplines, communicating with credibility and clarity. This includes being skilled at communicating complex concepts and information clearly.

Why You Should Join Us

• Meaningful Impact: You will be joining a team with a sense of mission at its core aiming to build a lasting legacy for future generations by securing our long-term water resilience.
• Fantastic employer pension contribution of nearly 30%.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on 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 the benefits of in person collaboration in our London or Birmingham offices.
• 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.

Follow the link to Apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your Applications in full before the below deadline.

Closing date: 23.55 on 03 November 2024