Principal Economist, Cost Assessment

Join Ofwat’s Price Review as a Principal Economist, Cost Assessment

• Contribute to policy development in areas such as incentive design, cost benchmarking, and wider improvements to the regulatory framework.
• Work with colleagues to ensure robust, evidence-based recommendations for expenditure allowances.
• Engage with stakeholders across the sector, including water companies, other regulators, and internal teams.
• Play a lead role in the development and implementation of our approach to assessing base expenditure at the next price review, drawing on lessons from PR24 and the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission (IWC).

• Undergraduate degree (or higher) in economics, a numeric discipline, or another relevant field.
• Lead criterion 1: Significant experience of applying economics in a regulator, competition authority, consultancy or regulated company, with a strong interest in and aptitude for economic regulation.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects in a complex stakeholder environment and at pace.
• Lead criterion 2: Advanced problem solving skills, drawing on technical knowledge and both quantitative (including econometrics) and qualitative techniques to address complex issues.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex analysis clearly and confidently to non-technical audiences.
• Lead criterion 3: Experience of cost assessment and developing improvements to regulatory frameworks or incentive design in the water sector or other regulated utilities.
• Experience of managing large and/or complex projects, including oversight of independent consultants and delivery to tight deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, demonstrated by influencing and building relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

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

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham and London offices.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
• Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
• routine, year-on-year costs, which companies incur in the normal running of their businesses to provide a base level of good service to customers and the environment;
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
• Excellent employer pension contributions.
• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
• 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.
• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.