At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Ofwat's team to analyse equity pricing and develop financial methodologies.
- Company: Ofwat, the regulator for water services in England and Wales.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, professional development, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the water sector while developing your financial expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial economics or corporate finance with strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Join Ofwat's Risk and Return Team as a Corporate Finance Principal Equity Specialist. We have 1 Fixed Term contract until the end of December 2027 available, but it is also open to loans and secondments.
Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.
About Us
We're Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority - a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. As the economic regulator of water and wastewater companies in England and Wales, our role is to enable, incentivise and hold companies to account for providing the best for customers, communities and the environment. We also oversee the markets in the water sector to ensure they work for customers.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Financial Economist or Corporate Finance Equity Specialist to join our Risk & Return team within the Price Review Directorate to help with preparations for PR29, the price review covering the period. The successful candidate will play an important role in determining our methodology for the allowed return on equity for PR29. The draft and final methodology for PR29 are expected to be published in 2027.
Key deliverables:
- Plan and prioritise your time – working to team‑level and directorate‑level milestones and reprioritising when new developments arise.
- Interpret financial data, arguments and analysis – for instance from company consultant reports and the papers they reference.
- Monitor market data – to develop a well‑informed understanding of equity investor sentiment by considering equity analyst commentary from Ofwat's subscriptions as well as the features of recent equity transactions.
- Conduct and commission financial analysis – for instance using the latest market data to estimate the return on equity using the CAPM.
- Draft slide packs and documents – for instance drafting a discussion paper to inform a cost of equity workshop or a slide pack for a discussion that helps the Ofwat Board decide whether to sign off on a cost of equity policy proposal.
- Verbally present findings – for instance briefing the team's Director on the key findings of review work or analysis.
- Develop and interrogate Excel‑based models – while not primarily a modelling role, it will likely involve some scrutiny of non‑Ofwat models and may involve developing in‑house models to support our policy areas.
- Oversee junior staff time – the role is likely to involve managing the time of one junior colleague, and potentially more during peak periods (e.g. a graduate).
- Build relationships – in particular with other Risk & Return team members, other Ofwat teams where there is thematic overlap, and external stakeholders such as counterparts in other regulators or investors.
- Develop skills – to build on your existing base of financial knowledge and skills through structured or unstructured learning opportunities.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Experience in applying financial economics and/or corporate finance to the analysis of equity pricing.
- Advanced understanding of financial economics and/or corporate finance theory related to the cost of equity, particularly asset pricing models such as the CAPM.
- Advanced understanding of equity markets, including the roles played by different types of investors and funds, and the relevance of fund characteristics (e.g. open/closed fund) to economically regulated sectors.
- Good Microsoft Excel skills – familiarity with VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, AVERAGEIFS, INDEX(MATCH); familiarity with array formulae and VBA would be useful but is not essential.
- Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to understand and concisely explain complex issues in non‑technical language.
Why You Should 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 will be given the autonomy and support to do your role in the best way.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built 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.
- Good 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.
- 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.
Follow the link to apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your applications in full before the deadline below. Closing date: 23.55 on 22 June 2026.
Corporate Finance Principal Equity Specialist in Birmingham employer: Ofwat
Ofwat is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation. With flexible hybrid working arrangements in London or Birmingham, employees benefit from generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the regulatory sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Finance Principal Equity Specialist in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ofwat on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial economics knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you would apply theories like CAPM in real-world scenarios. Show them you know your stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You might need to present findings or draft documents, so being able to communicate complex ideas clearly is key. Grab a friend and do some mock presentations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Ofwat team.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Finance Principal Equity Specialist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial economics and corporate finance. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Corporate Finance Principal Equity Specialist, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since good written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain complex concepts, just like you would in a discussion paper or slide pack.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any previous roles where you’ve applied financial analysis or worked with equity pricing. We’re looking for someone who can interpret financial data effectively, so share examples that demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Financial Economics
Brush up on your financial economics and corporate finance theories, especially around equity pricing and asset pricing models like CAPM. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to the water sector and Ofwat's role in regulating it.
✨Excel Skills Are Key
Make sure you're comfortable with Microsoft Excel, particularly with functions like VLOOKUP and SUMIFS. You might be asked to demonstrate your skills or solve a problem on the spot, so practice beforehand to show you can handle data analysis effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to interpret financial data and present findings. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully analysed complex information and communicated it clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
✨Build Relationships
Since building relationships is crucial in this role, be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with teams or external stakeholders in the past. Highlight your communication skills and any experiences where you’ve successfully navigated different perspectives to achieve a common goal.
