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 work, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and work-life balance.
- 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.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 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 in England employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cyber Security Technical Specialist in England
✨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. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can showcase your projects, certifications, and any relevant experience. This is a great way to stand out and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a job that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and the company culture. This not only shows your interest but can also give you insider info that might help in interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it real during interviews! Be prepared to discuss your technical knowledge and how it applies to the role. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex security issues. And remember, we want to see your passion for making a difference in the water sector!
We think you need these skills to ace Cyber Security Technical Specialist in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Cyber Security Technical Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with Ofwat's mission and the specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Cyber Security Knowledge: Don’t hold back on demonstrating your understanding of cyber security frameworks like NCSC CAF. Mention any certifications you have, such as CISSP or CISM, and how they relate to the role. This will show us you’re serious about the position!
Communicate Clearly: Since excellent communication skills are key for this role, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain complex concepts, making it easy for both technical and non-technical readers to understand.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Cyber Security Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key cyber security frameworks, especially the NCSC CAF. Brush up on your knowledge of CISSP, CISM, or GICSP certifications, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've analysed complex security issues and developed effective solutions. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you identified root causes.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This is crucial, as you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with various audiences.
✨Build Relationships
Think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with internal and external stakeholders. Highlight your ability to influence and maintain constructive working relationships, as this is key for the role.