At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of water by managing cyber security risks and strategies.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a key player in regulating the water sector in England and Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water security while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in cyber security with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
This range is provided by Ofwat. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non‑ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction – one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. We’re also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales. While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.
The Role
We’re looking for a Principal Cyber Security Technical Specialist to join our Water Supply team, part of Ofwat’s RAPID & Environmental Planning directorate. The team focuses on water company investment planning and the delivery of water supply (source to tap) including water resources, treatment and distribution. In our Price Review 2024 (PR24) final determination, we have made record allowances of £455 million for water sector cyber security. However, the requirements of the sector continue to evolve. We have recently consulted on a cost change process, which would be an opportunity for the water companies to submit requests for additional allowances, if there are significant changes in the cyber security environment. As we await further details of which recommendations from the Independent Water Commission the government plans to accept, Ofwat will continue to work ever more closely with the DWI and the water companies on cyber resilience. This role will play an important part in shaping this increased engagement and how we respond to developments in the cyber security sector. For example, we expect engagement with Defra and to track the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) as it passes through parliament and into legislation, considering the impact on the water sector. We’re looking for an experienced cyber security professional who can combine strong technical insight with strategic thinking. You’ll have experience conducting or reviewing risk assessments, managing cyber security risks, and evaluating the costs and value for money of different cyber security solutions. You’ll have a solid understanding of the current cyber security landscape and the ability to assess both detailed technical proposals and their wider policy or strategic implications. While experience in a regulatory body or the water sector would be an advantage, it isn’t essential.
About You
- Relevant cyber security experience including planning and delivery, assessment of costs and value, and/or risk assessment of security vulnerabilities.
- Ability to demonstrate strong knowledge of cyber security frameworks, particularly NCSC CAF, and ideally certified as CISSP, CISM, or GICSP (or equivalent).
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to review and respond effectively to company cyber security plans and strategies, as well as communicate complex concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the ability to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
- Flexible approach to work in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment with the ability to prioritise workloads and work autonomously.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to analyse complex security issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
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’ll be given the autonomy and the 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 and London 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.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Closing Date: 23:55 on 30 November 2025
Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Information Technology and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Technology, Information and Media, Computer and Network Security
Cyber Security Technical Specialist employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cyber Security Technical Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the cyber security field. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects, certifications, and any relevant experience. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in cyber security and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research Ofwat and understand their mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially in relation to cyber resilience and regulatory challenges in the water sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! We want to see your application directly, and it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Ofwat. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly.
We think you need these skills to ace Cyber Security Technical Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Cyber Security Technical Specialist role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in risk assessments and cyber security frameworks. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about cyber security and how you can contribute to Ofwat's mission. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves communicating complex concepts, make sure your application showcases your written communication skills. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically – we want to see how you can engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Ofwat. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Cyber Security Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of cyber security frameworks, especially the NCSC CAF. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to the water sector and how they can help mitigate risks.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills. Think of examples where you've identified complex security issues and developed effective solutions. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the challenges of the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex cyber security concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences, so being able to break down jargon is key.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you've built and maintained relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced and collaborated with others to achieve desired outcomes, as this is crucial for the role.