Position type: Permanent
Job reference: 424245
Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working
Salary: £57,783 - £73,000
Closing date: Thursday 11th September at 23:55
Job title: Principal Policy
Join Ofwat as a Principal Policy in our Outcomes Team
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. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.
We are working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. We’re also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales.
While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.
The Role
The Independent Water Commission published their final report on the review of the water sector regulatory system on 21 July 2025. While we are entering a period of change, Ofwat still has a lot of important work to do. We remain focused on the day job and ensuring that the £104 billion investment package that we have approved delivers the maximum benefits for customers and the environment. Ofwat remains committed to working constructively with the government and supporting outcomes that are in the best interests of customers, communities, and the environment. Our focus remains the same: delivering strong, independent economic regulation to deliver our vision of a secure and sustainable water sector, acting in the best interests of customers, communities and the environment.
The creation of the new regulator may take up to two years to finalise, during which time we will work closely with the government and other regulators to create a plan for a smooth transition.
We're looking for two Principals to join our outcomes team. The roles are full of influence and exciting challenges.
The outcomes team is key to the shaping the next price review, setting performance targets in key areas and incentivising companies to deliver for their customers. These roles will have a significant impact in securing the best outcomes for water customers in the Price Review 2024 (PR24) period of 2025-2030 and beyond. Given the significant focus on water company performance this is an exciting time to join the outcomes team.
There are 2 key areas that the Principals will lead on:
- Developing our performance commitment levels (PCLs) - the stretching performance targets we set for the sector.
- Developing our outcome delivery incentives (ODIs) - the financial penalties and rewards companies receive based on their performance.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Significant experience of solving analytical problems, drawing on technical knowledge as well as quantitative and qualitative techniques.
- Strong interest in and aptitude for economic regulation.
- Undergraduate degree in a numeric (or other relevant to the role discipline) and/or equivalent policy experience.
- Experience of managing large projects, including independent consultants.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, demonstrated by influencing a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to understand and confidently explain analysis in non-technical language.
Why Join Us
- People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
- 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 Birmingham offices.
- Excellent employer pension contributions of nearly 29%.You can find further details about pension schemes under Terms and Conditions in the Candidate Pack.
- 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.
To read more about the role and selection process, please follow the link to apply.
