Program Support Officer

Join Ofwat’s Major Projects Team as a Programme Support Officer. This is a permanent appointment. However, we will consider loans and secondments of up to 2 years.

Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) 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. The water sector is entering a new chapter. The government has set out a bold new direction, bringing together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are collaborating with fellow regulators to respond to recommendations in The Independent Water Commission Report, the Welsh Government’s response to the Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, and the Government’s White Paper, A new vision for water. Ofwat is working with the government and other regulators to help create a new body for England, bringing together our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Natural England. We are also continuing to work with the Welsh Government to support decisions on the future arrangements 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.

The Role: We are seeking a Programme Support Officer to support our growing Major Projects Team at Associate level. This is a new role within the Major Water Infrastructure Programme Management Office (MWIPMO) team that supports both the Major Project team and RAPID team in the regulatory oversight of the overall Major Water Infrastructure programme. You will play a key role in not only delivering Ofwat's strategy, but also in the development of our approach to the delivery of the Programme. As part of the Delivery Office, you will support the Programme Management Office in the effective, efficient and smooth functioning of MWIP and the Major Projects team. This is a unique opportunity for someone looking to expand their experience of working within complex programme and project delivery, and to play a role in the delivery of some of the most important capital projects in the water sector which are vital for the environment, resilience and growth. The portfolio of projects within the Major Water Infrastructure Programme is also essential to meet the needs of current and future customers—and your work will directly impact how companies deliver for them. This is an evolving space so would suit someone who is a flexible thinker, able to balance the immediate priorities and help shape the future PMO. You will need to be proactive and respond flexibly in support of the wider work of the programme. You will be involved with the embedding of the Delivery Office as we grow, which includes supporting programme governance, risk management and planning. To be successful, as well as working closely with the Major Projects and RAPID teams, you will develop strong working relationships with partner Regulators (Environment Agency and Drinking Water Inspectorate) and Defra. You will be expected to uphold high standards of delivery and collaborate with water and wastewater companies to support them to deliver the best value for customers. Ofwat is a learning organisation, and you will have ample opportunities to further develop your knowledge and experience, as well as consolidate your skillset. We have a well-supported, agile working environment, and a trust-based culture intended to help empower you and enable and support you to succeed within Ofwat. In turn, you will be expected to provide support to colleagues across the organisation, proactively sharing skills and knowledge, and equally will be supported by coaching and mentoring.

About You: Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:

• Lead Criterion: A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a Project or PMO support role, ideally within complex programme and project delivery environments (e.g. large infrastructure or capital delivery programmes, water sector organisations, consultancies, regulators, or government).
• Lead Criterion: Proven experience providing administrative support for governance structures (e.g. boards, committees, working groups), including coordinating senior-level meetings, preparing agendas, and producing high-quality minutes and action logs.
• Experience of managing documents and data in line with organisational standards and industry good practice, with an understanding of data governance principles.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience of interpreting data to support project delivery and resource management, including contributing to the development and maintenance of project plans.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, with the ability to understand requirements, manage expectations, and collaborate to achieve outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, professional documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Holds, or is working towards, a relevant professional qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, P3O, APM) and/or membership of a recognised professional body.

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.
• Excellent employer pension contributions of up to 29%.
• 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 below deadline.