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- Tasks: Shape the future of water regulation and develop impactful policies for new connections.
- Company: Join Ofwat, a leading regulator in the water sector with a people-centric culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and excellent pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in environmental outcomes and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy development and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join Ofwat’s Markets & Charging Directorate as a Senior Policy Adviser. 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. Following the Independent Water Commission’s Final Report and subsequent White Paper – ‘New Vision for Water’, 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. Ofwat is 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 are looking for a Senior Policy Adviser to join the Charges and Developer Services team part of Ofwat's Markets & Charging Directorate. You will join as a Senior Associate, playing a key part in the development of our regulation of the new connections market and our work on charges, as well as linking with our work with new appointees. You will directly contribute to our work on developer services. The term ‘developer services’ covers the activities and services companies provide to developers when connecting new homes and businesses to the water and wastewater network (the new connections market). Around 200,000 new connections are made each year across England and Wales in a complex market where competition varies by area and development type. You will play a crucial role in developing and implementing policy for the regulation of developer services and the new connections market, aimed at delivering better outcomes for customers, society and the environment. This includes policies on aspects of our economic regulation, including environmental incentives and protections for customers with limited market choice. You will also work on charges. We set charging rules to govern how incumbents (large water companies) and new appointees set charges for the services they provide, to households, business customers and developers. New appointees (NAVs) are new entrant water companies initially looking to serve small, distinct geographic areas. We regulate how services are provided to developers, stepping back where competition is strong and protecting customers where choice is limited. Current policy priorities include improving environmental outcomes, encouraging innovative charging to support affordability and sustainability, examining the relationship between cost reflectivity and water efficiency, reviewing the effectiveness of the developer services market, and considering how new demands for potable and non‑potable water should be funded. You will play an important role in developing these and other policy areas, working closely with colleagues across Ofwat and engaging with companies, developers, Defra and other stakeholders. You will also be expected to contribute flexibly to the delivery of Ofwat’s wider strategy.
About You
- Professional experience of developing, managing, and implementing policy, ideally within a public policy or regulatory policy environment. This includes the ability to develop and communicate clear, evidence-based advice to inform policy and decision-making for diverse audiences; and the ability to encourage and respond to constructive challenge to build confidence in decisions.
- Knowledge or experience of markets, competition and economic regulation, and the benefits they can deliver for customers.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including experience of identifying, analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence‑based decisions and solutions for complex problems.
- Ability to effectively plan, prioritise and deliver multiple projects and programmes of work at the same time.
- Experience of building and maintaining constructive working relationships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders to understand their needs, expectations, and priorities, and to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver desired outcomes.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to understand and concisely explain complex issues in non-technical language.
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 nearly 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.
- Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Follow the link to apply for full details of the role and ensure your application is submitted in full by the deadline below. Closing date: 23.55 on 22 February 2026.
Senior Policy Adviser employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Policy Adviser
✨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 diving deep into Ofwat’s recent projects and policies. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the water sector and its future!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around policy development and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how you think and solve problems, so be ready to share examples from your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Policy Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Senior Policy Adviser, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to explain your experiences and achievements. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point, especially when discussing complex issues.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the role and the water sector shine through in your application. We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference, so share why you’re passionate about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our mission.
Proofread Before Submitting: Before hitting that submit button, take a moment to proofread your application. Typos and grammatical errors can distract from your message, so we recommend double-checking everything to ensure it’s polished and professional. Remember, first impressions count!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Know Your Policy Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest developments in water regulation and policy. Familiarise yourself with Ofwat’s recent initiatives, especially those related to developer services and the new connections market. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used data to inform policy decisions. Be ready to explain how you identified issues, analysed data, and implemented solutions. This is crucial for a role that requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think of ways to demonstrate your ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated or influenced others to achieve desired outcomes. This will highlight your interpersonal skills, which are key for this position.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Practice explaining complex regulatory concepts in simple terms. During the interview, aim to communicate your thoughts clearly and concisely, as this is essential for engaging with various audiences. Consider preparing a few examples where you’ve had to simplify complex information for non-technical stakeholders.
