At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead resilience and drought policy development for the UK's water industry.
- Company: Water UK, the trade association for water and wastewater companies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national resilience and climate challenges in the water sector.
- Qualifications: Strategic thinker with experience in policy and incident management.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Water UK is the trade association representing the UK's water and wastewater companies. At a time of heightened public scrutiny, climate pressure and system-wide reform, they are seeking a Head of Resilience and Drought to help shape how the industry responds to some of its most complex and high-impact challenges.
This is a senior, high-profile role operating at the intersection of policy, operational response and strategic leadership. You will lead the organisation's crisis readiness and response capability, ensuring the industry can act collectively during high-impact events, while also developing a more coherent approach to resilience across the sector.
In this context, resilience refers to driving progress on mitigation of the industry's most significant strategic risks, including drought response, cyber security, power outages and chemical supply chains, rather than long-term water resource planning. This role exists to bring a strategic lens to resilience, ensuring the industry is not only responding effectively to incidents but also influencing how resilience is defined, prioritised and delivered across the system.
You will play a central role in helping the industry:
- Respond to high-impact events such as drought and supply disruption
- Strengthen preparedness and coordination across water companies
- Shape the long-term resilience agenda across government, regulators and stakeholders
Policy development - resilience readiness: Lead Water UK policy development and engagement for resilience matters and ensure delivery of the policies committed to in the government's white paper, A New Vision for Water.
- Shape industry and government thinking on drought preparedness and response
- Influence and improve key security, emergency and cyber resilience frameworks
- Identify and address risks within critical supply chains (e.g. treatment chemicals)
Incident and risk management: Leading continuous improvement of the industry's approach to incident and risk management through:
- Coordinate with water companies on national and cross-sector incidents
- Act as a key interface with government and regulators during live events
- Drive mitigation of key risks, including drought, cyber, power and supply chain issues
- Oversee effective information sharing and governance on security risks
You will be a strategic thinker, with the ability to operate in complex, ambiguous environments where priorities are not always clearly defined.
- Experience in policy development - developing recommendations for industry, government and regulators to improve public policy outcomes
- Experience in incident management, risk management or resilience, ideally within regulated or infrastructure sectors
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience working with senior stakeholders, government and regulators
- Be comfortable working at senior level during high-pressure scenarios
- Bring an interest in system-level challenges across regulated or infrastructure sectors
- Desirable but not essential - Knowledge of water industry processes including resilience arrangements and experience of handling and interpreting data.
Competitive salary
Discretionary bonus of up to 25%
Private medical insurance and dental coverage
27 working days' holiday, with the option to 'buy' more annual leave
Pension contribution - 6%
Life assurance from date of joining
Hybrid working basis with an expectation of 3 to 4 days a week in the office.
The UK water sector is undergoing fundamental change, driven by climate risk, public expectation and regulatory reform. This role offers the opportunity to:
- Influence how resilience is defined and delivered at a national level
- Work on issues with direct, real-world impact
- Shape both immediate response and long-term system change
Head of Regulatory Finance employer: Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
Water UK is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in a pivotal role that shapes the future of the water industry amidst pressing challenges. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, including competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a hybrid working model, we foster a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises professional growth and resilience. Join us to make a meaningful impact on national policy and drive significant change in the sector while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
Contact Details:
Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Regulatory Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water and regulatory finance sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its challenges. Understand their approach to resilience and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who can genuinely contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Make sure to highlight your strategic thinking and incident management skills in your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Regulatory Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Regulatory Finance role. Highlight your experience in policy development and incident management, as these are key areas we're looking for. Show us how your skills align with our mission at Water UK!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, emphasise your ability to navigate complex environments and make strategic decisions. We want to see examples of how you've tackled high-pressure scenarios and influenced policy outcomes in the past. This will help us understand your fit for the role.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills:Don’t forget to mention your experience working with senior stakeholders, government, and regulators. We value strong communication and collaboration skills, so share specific instances where you’ve successfully managed relationships in challenging situations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Water UK!
How to prepare for a job interview at Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the current challenges facing the water industry, especially around resilience and drought. Familiarise yourself with recent government policies and white papers, like 'A New Vision for Water', so you can discuss how your experience aligns with these strategic priorities.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think strategically in complex environments. Think about times when you've developed policy recommendations or managed incidents. Be ready to explain how you approached these situations and the outcomes of your actions.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Since this role involves working with senior stakeholders, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing relationships with government and regulators. Share specific instances where you successfully influenced decision-making or improved collaboration across sectors.
✨Demonstrate Crisis Management Skills
Given the high-pressure nature of this role, think of scenarios where you've had to lead during a crisis. Be ready to articulate your approach to incident management and how you ensured effective communication and coordination among teams during challenging times.
