AddressSalary: £55,031 - £65,000
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Hybrid
Office location: either Birmingham (B54UA) or London (E14 4HD)
The Role
We are looking for Principal Economist to join our Business Retail Market team. The 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.
Key deliverables
- Lead analytical and policy development work to deliver, among other things, ongoing understanding of retail market developments and competitive dynamics, revised incentive mechanisms in the business retail market, and work underpinning revision of retail price caps.
- Lead or contribute to the development of policy and process to support delivery by the Business Retail team and working across Ofwat as appropriate. This may include, for example, economic and analytical support concerning our work on financial resilience, non-price protections, and supplier of last resort arrangements.
- Contribute to the delivery of the portfolio of code modification decisions and/or policy projects. This may include managing processes and team members with a view to ensuring Ofwat decisions on Code modifications are made and presented in a robust manner
- Provide visible leadership and guidance to members of the Business Retail team. You will be expected to support, empower and be a role model for junior members of the team, to help them develop skills and experience and to continue to support all members’ professional development. As a leader in Ofwat, you will also role model our values and ways of working and be an active contributor to the corporate activities that make Ofwat a great place to work.
- Act as a People Leader and/or Project Manager, taking on budget management responsibilities and, where appropriate, people management responsibilities in line with Ofwat’s Governance Framework.
- Create and champion an inclusive working environment that supports growth, well-being and continuous improvement in our delivery.
- Strongly contribute to Ofwat’s wider leadership, by engaging, contributing and supporting our work to make Ofwat a great place to work.
Person specification
Experience, skills and knowledge
- Degree level qualification in economics and/or a discipline with significant economic content.
- Lead Criterion: Knowledge and experience of microeconomic analysis and/or markets, competition and regulation, and the benefits they can deliver for customers. This includes the identification and application of relevant economic, legal and policy frameworks and requirements.
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience of identifying, analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
- Experience of 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Creates clarity
- Makes relationships count
- Adaptable Thinker
Why join us?
We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working. We know our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust them to do exactly that.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
You will also benefit from:
- Excellent employer pension contributions, for this role ranging from £15,353 to £18,135.
- 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service), plus bank holidays
- Access to exclusive discounts on a range of goods and services such as retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance and gym membership
- Flexible working arrangements
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year
- Generous shared parental leave and pay
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Season ticket loan for travel between home and office
- Regular professional development including funded certifications
- Health and well-being initiatives
Please follow the link for further details and to make your application. If you have any questions, then you may contact recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 11th February 2024
