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 stakeholder relationships and policy-making.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60300 - 73700 £ 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:
- Lead criteria: 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 employer: Ofwat
OFWAT is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous parental leave, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the regulatory landscape of Wales.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stakeholder Engagement Lead
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Ofwat, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Ofwat and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Stakeholder Engagement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Ofwat and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Ofwat, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Ofwat.
