he smart meter revolution is transforming the way consumers use energy, empowering them to take control of their energy consumption and contributing to the transition to a Net Zero economy. At the heart of this change is the Data Communications Company (DCC), a company that connects smart meters with energy suppliers and networks. Ofgem is looking for a Senior Economist to drive improvements in DCC’s price control framework, ensuring it delivers the best possible service at the best value for consumers.
Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers -especially vulnerable people.
We’re offering a permanent role where you’ll play a key role in designing and implementing a new price control framework, ensuring robust regulatory oversight of DCC’s performance and costs. This is your chance to tackle complex regulatory challenges, influence policy, and shape the economic landscape of the UK’s smart metering infrastructure.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead key workstreams within the price control and incentives process, developing innovative solutions to regulatory challenges. You’ll work closely with internal stakeholders, government, and DCC itself, using your economic expertise to scrutinise evidence, shape policy decisions, and drive efficiency improvements.
We’re looking for someone with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, experience in price control and incentives, and excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities. You’ll need to be comfortable analysing complex data, developing policy recommendations, and working collaboratively across teams and organisations.
At Ofgem, you’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where your work is valued and your expertise makes a real impact. We offer a supportive culture, flexible working opportunities, and the chance to develop your skills in economic regulation while contributing to the UK’s clean energy transition.
We have a critical purpose to regulate and optimise the performance of the smart metering system, ensuring fair pricing, efficiency, and consumer protection. As a Senior Economist, you will play a pivotal role in developing and refining the frameworks that support a smarter, greener energy future.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and implementation of a new Price Control framework for the Data Communications Company (DCC) in the context of the wider DCC model Review.
- Leading workstreams on designing and implementing changes to the ex-post DCC price control which include move towards ex -ante process, incentive mechanisms, drafting price control processes and procedures.
- Leading workstreams within the annual ex-post DCC price control process. For example: analysing the quantitative and qualitative information that DCC submits to us; developing robust proposals for our position on price control decisions; and delivering written consultations.
- Leading workstreams that optimise DCC’s price control and incentives frameworks. For example: assessing how the price control/incentive framework should apply in novel situations; reviewing guidance to DCC to reflect changes in policy or context.
- Building constructive working relationships with internal stakeholders (including legal advisers), DCC and Government.
- Contributing to other strategic and reactive work undertaken by the team as it arises.
Key Outputs and Deliverables
- Robust quantitative and qualitative analysis informing sound advice on next steps.
- Clear and concise drafting for external and internal audiences, including contributions to briefings, internal decision documents, and consultations.
- Effective project planning and timely delivery of outputs.
- Constructive working relationships established with internal and external stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively across team boundaries.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and implementation of a new Price Control framework for the Data Communications Company (DCC) in the context of the wider DCC model Review.
- Leading workstreams on designing and implementing changes to the ex-post DCC price control which include move towards ex -ante process, incentive mechanisms, drafting price control processes and procedures.
- Leading workstreams within the annual ex-post DCC price control process. For example: analysing the quantitative and qualitative information that DCC submits to us; developing robust proposals for our position on price control decisions; and delivering written consultations.
- Leading workstreams that optimise DCC’s price control and incentives frameworks. For example: assessing how the price control/incentive framework should apply in novel situations; reviewing guidance to DCC to reflect changes in policy or context.
- Building constructive working relationships with internal stakeholders (including legal advisers), DCC and Government.
- Contributing to other strategic and reactive work undertaken by the team as it arises.
Key Outputs and Deliverables
- Robust quantitative and qualitative analysis informing sound advice on next steps.
- Clear and concise drafting for external and internal audiences, including contributions to briefings, internal decision documents, and consultations.
- Effective project planning and timely delivery of outputs.
- Constructive working relationships established with internal and external stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively across team boundaries.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Analysis and use of evidence: ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative information, identify issues, and develop options and recommendations on a wide range of technical, commercial and policy issues.
- Price control and incentives: experience of working on price control and incentives policy or delivery.
- Communication: ability to communicate effectively to a range of internal and external audiences, both verbally and in writing.
- Stakeholder engagement: ability to build collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, to represent Ofgem in external meetings, and to use influencing skills to secure desired outcomes.
- Organisational skills: ability to proactively prioritise, plan and schedule complex and diverse tasks.
Desirable Criteria
- Sector knowledge: a sound understanding of the principles of economic regulation, supported by understanding of the commercial and regulatory frameworks governing the operation of electricity and gas markets.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.
Alongside your salary of £47,895, OFGEM contributes £13,875 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 17th March 2025
