At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic stakeholder engagement and develop impactful communication plans.
- 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.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in policy-making while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Stakeholder Engagement Lead role at Ofwat. 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.
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Stakeholder Engagement Lead to join our Communications and Engagement team. The Stakeholder Engagement team leads the development and delivery of strategic stakeholder engagement activity across Ofwat. The team was established in August 2024 and is working to embed a refreshed approach to managing stakeholder relationships.
In this role, you’ll develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans for key programmes of work. You’ll manage our strategic approach to relationships with key audience groups and use stakeholder insight to provide advice to senior leaders on engagement approaches. You’ll be involved in the implementation of a relationship management process across the organisation supported by high‑quality briefing materials.
In this role you will report to the Head of Stakeholder Engagement and be expected to:
- Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans for key programmes of work to ensure stakeholders’ views and insight are considered as part of Ofwat’s policy making.
- Advise the Chair, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team on their engagement with stakeholders, including for bilateral meetings, speaking engagements and visits.
- Build effective relationships with stakeholders that support the design and delivery of strategic engagement by senior leaders.
- Support the embedding of best practice engagement and co‑production at Ofwat, enabling colleagues to deliver consistently high standards of engagement.
- Produce high‑quality written communications to support stakeholder engagement, including correspondence, briefing materials and presentations.
- Support the implementation of a relationship ownership structure across Ofwat to facilitate the development and maintenance of strong and purposeful relationships.
- Deliver a comprehensive and effective stakeholder insight management process, ensuring insight is captured and shared effectively to inform future engagement and influence Ofwat’s policy development and decision‑making.
- Monitor and track stakeholder sentiment and play a proactive role in delivery of stakeholder research and wider evaluation measures to ensure the successful delivery of engagement activity and continuous improvement of our approach.
- Provide support to the broader Communications and Engagement function, as required. This may include leading communications and engagement plans for set projects or programmes of work.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Strong experience in designing and delivering strategic stakeholder engagement plans to support corporate priorities, including objective setting, strategy design and evaluation.
- Experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, both internally and externally and including senior leaders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail including the ability to write clearly and in a tailored way for a range of audiences.
- The ability to work collaboratively with people across teams and levels, ensuring the effective involvement of a range of internal partners in the development and delivery of engagement plans.
- Experience in monitoring external landscape and stakeholders, analysing key developments and communicating insights internally to inform policy development and decision‑making.
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 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.
Follow the link to apply for full details about the role. Please ensure you have submitted your application in full before the closing date.
Closing date: 23:55 on 14 December 2025
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Administrative, Strategy/Planning, and Public Relations
Industry: Government Administration
Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.
Job is open to loans and secondments of up to 2 years.
Stakeholder Engagement Lead in England employer: Ofwat
Ofwat is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, fostering a culture of respect and collaboration. With a commitment to innovation and flexibility, employees enjoy a supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and work-life balance, complemented by generous benefits such as extensive leave, pension contributions, and opportunities for volunteering. Located in vibrant Birmingham or London, Ofwat offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful regulatory work while enjoying the perks of a dynamic workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stakeholder Engagement Lead in England
✨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 researching Ofwat’s recent projects and stakeholder engagement strategies. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role is all about engaging with stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Ofwat.
We think you need these skills to ace Stakeholder Engagement Lead in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Stakeholder Engagement Lead. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what Ofwat is looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role requires excellent written communication, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use proper formatting and check for any typos or grammatical errors – we want to see your attention to detail!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any previous experience in stakeholder engagement or relationship management. Share specific examples of how you've successfully built relationships and delivered engagement plans in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people at Ofwat, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Before the interview, research Ofwat's key stakeholders and their interests. Understanding who they are and what matters to them will help you demonstrate your ability to build effective relationships, which is crucial for the Stakeholder Engagement Lead role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated with diverse audiences in the past. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your written and verbal communication made a significant impact, as this role requires high-quality briefing materials and presentations.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would develop and implement stakeholder engagement plans. Be prepared to share your approach to setting objectives, designing strategies, and evaluating outcomes. This will show that you can align your work with Ofwat's corporate priorities.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experiences
Since the role involves working across teams, come equipped with examples of successful collaborations. Discuss how you’ve involved internal partners in developing and delivering engagement plans, showcasing your ability to work effectively with others.
