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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects to transform the water sector and improve performance.
- Company: Ofwat regulates the water sector in England and Wales, ensuring fair pricing and accountability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, pension contributions, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on water resilience while thriving in a supportive, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in innovation, policy development, and stakeholder management required.
- Other info: Flexible work-life balance with opportunities for professional development and volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join Ofwats Innovation Team as a Innovation Principal
*Office Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) with hybrid working*
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. Our work has genuine significance no other organisation does the work we do. Its unique and meaningful: keeping our water flowing; ensuring water bills dont cost a penny more than needed; holding water companies to account. Come and work at the source of everyday life.
The Role
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for someone who wants to make meaningful change in a vitally important sector, working in an organisation that provides the conditions for its people to thrive.
- Co-lead, develop and deliver Ofwat\’s bold and visionary approach to embedding innovation and continuous improvement in the transformation of water sector performance in England and Wales.
- Be an integral part of the design and delivery of new programmes of work, including the eligibility, application, assessment, monitoring and evaluation of Innovation Fund projects.
- Engage across sectors, in this country and globally, to accelerate learning for the water sector to tackle the problems faced now and in the future.
- Have experience in (preferably), or be a strong advocate for, data-driven approaches and the use of digital technologies in transforming the effectiveness of daily working practice.
- Build strong relationships with government agencies (e.g., Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Defra, Welsh Government), NGOs, academic institutions, stakeholders, and water companies, to understand and influence connections across the water sector.
- Be a public facing advocate for the water sector, Ofwat and the Innovation Fund, promoting the progress achieved and challenges faced, to engender openness, collaboration and inclusion in all that we do.
- Input to or shape regulatory programmes and reviews (e.g., Price Reviews, WRMPs, WINEP) to embed innovation as business-as-usual activity.
- Take a systems thinking, evidence-based approach to ensuring economic regulatory levers and decision making are utilised to the greatest effect, to deliver maximum value for customers, communities, the economy and the environment.
- Provide line management and mentoring to technical and policy professionals, supporting professional development, workload prioritisation, and delivery against strategic goals.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Extensive experience leading, designing and implementing innovative approaches to transform system performance, built on trusted relationships and data enabled approaches, ideally within or alongside a regulator or government department.
- Experience in developing policy that incentivises the adoption and development of innovative approaches and sustained continuous improvement.
- Experience of leading people (line management), fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, motivating people and identifying and addressing performance concerns.
- The ability to inspire, energise and convey a compelling vision for change to a diverse range of audiences, that engenders collective action for change.
- Excellent communication skills, able to synthesize complex technical, scientific, and economic information for diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of UK water industry regulation, or other regulated industries with demonstrable transferrable skills.
- Strategic thinking skills with the ability to influence high-level decision-making.
- Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
Why You Should Join Us:
- Meaningful Impact:You will be joining a team with a sense of mission at its core aiming to build a lasting legacy for future generations by securing our long-term water resilience.
- Innovative Work Environment:We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build 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 London or Birmingham offices.
- Fantastic employer pension contributionof nearly 30%.
- 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 discountson a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
- Fees paid for membershipof relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering daysper year.
- Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
- Generous shared parental leave and paysupporting 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 below deadline.
Closing date:23.55 on Sunday 3rd August 2025
Innovation Lead in Birmingham employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Lead in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges and innovations in the UK water sector. Understanding the latest trends and technologies will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water industry, especially those involved in regulation and innovation. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to build connections and gain insights that could be beneficial during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams and managing projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've fostered innovation and continuous improvement in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Innovation Lead position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Ofwat's recent initiatives and publications. Being knowledgeable about their work will not only show your interest but also allow you to align your vision with theirs, making you a more compelling candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Lead in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills for the Innovation Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these specific requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only showcases your qualifications but also reflects your passion for innovation in the water sector. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your ability to lead and implement innovative approaches.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your extensive experience in leading innovative projects, particularly within regulatory or government contexts. Emphasise your skills in stakeholder management and strategic thinking, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is vital for this role, ensure your application clearly conveys complex ideas in an accessible manner. Use concise language and structure your application logically to make it easy for the hiring team to follow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Understand the Role and Its Impact
Before the interview, make sure you fully understand the significance of the Innovation Lead role within Ofwat. Familiarise yourself with how this position contributes to the water sector's performance and the broader implications for society. This will help you articulate your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Innovative Mindset
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led innovative projects or initiatives. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and how you've used data-driven approaches to achieve results. This is crucial for demonstrating your fit for a role focused on innovation.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Given the importance of building relationships with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss your experience in stakeholder management. Share specific instances where you've influenced decision-making or collaborated with diverse groups to drive change.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. Practice synthesising complex information into clear, concise messages. During the interview, aim to convey your ideas confidently and ensure you can engage with both technical and non-technical audiences effectively.
