At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead economic regulation strategy and influence industry developments for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, private healthcare, bonus plans, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your uniqueness is celebrated.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water regulation and impact millions while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years in economic regulation, leadership experience, and strong stakeholder skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
As a company operating in a highly regulated industry, maintaining trust with regulators, customers, and stakeholders is critical. We are seeking a Head of Economic Regulation to play a key part in shaping our regulatory strategy and positioning the organisation for long-term success. This role is a full-time, permanent position and can be based out of our Exeter, Bristol, or Redhill HQ. Salary will be discussed at the interview stage, depending on experience and skills.
Reporting to the Director of Economic Regulation and Chief Strategy & Regulatory Affairs Officer, this role leads on economic regulation, market reform, and price review strategy, ensuring the business is well-positioned within an evolving regulatory landscape. You will combine strategic foresight, regulatory expertise, and stakeholder leadership to influence industry developments, strengthen regulator relationships, and drive effective regulatory outcomes.
Key Responsibilities- You will lead the organisation's economic regulation strategy, monitoring, interpreting and influencing trends across the water sector, while developing long-term approaches aligned to market reform and increasing competition.
- A key part of the role will involve leading critical elements of periodic price reviews, including the development of regulatory business plans and the design of associated incentives, ensuring robust programme management and governance across all regulatory submissions.
- You will take ownership of charges policy and tariff strategy, including the delivery of pricing reforms, and play a central role in building and maintaining strong, effective relationships with economic regulators.
- This includes coordinating responses to consultations, investigations and inquiries.
- The role will oversee the regulatory reporting framework and supervision arrangements, ensuring compliance with licence obligations and merger undertakings.
- Working closely with Finance and Business Unit leaders, you will help balance customer affordability with financial sustainability, bringing expertise in utility risk, return and economic valuation.
- You will collaborate across Legal, Compliance, IT and Customer teams to ensure cohesive regulatory delivery, while driving business improvement through efficiency benchmarking and industry analysis.
- In addition, you will support capability building by delivering training and developing internal expertise in economic regulation.
- Significant experience (7-10+ years) in economic regulation, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
- Proven leadership experience (minimum 3 years managing teams or strategic programmes).
- Strong track record delivering regulatory programmes, including price reviews.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-led mindset.
- Ability to translate complex regulatory frameworks into clear, actionable insight.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
- Required: Professional qualification in Economics and/or Finance (or equivalent experience).
- Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Desirable: Leadership or management qualifications.
- Experience in data analysis, investigations, or project management.
- Shaping the future of economic regulation within a critical national infrastructure sector.
- Driving innovation and change during a time of industry reform.
- Building and developing high-performing teams.
- Working at pace on complex, high-impact challenges.
- Influencing strategy at the highest levels of the organisation.
This is a unique opportunity to lead at the forefront of regulatory strategy, shaping outcomes that impact millions of customers while driving sustainable, long-term value for the business.
What's in it for you:We know our people drive our success - so we're committed to offering an excellent range of benefits, including:
- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays.
- Bonus Plan.
- Private Healthcare.
- Company car or cash for car allowance.
- Competitive contributory pension.
- Share-save scheme.
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes.
- Group discounts.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Financial support services.
- Development and training opportunities.
- ... and much more!
Closing Date: 16th June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Head of Network in Exeter employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth through extensive training opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare and generous annual leave, we empower our team to thrive in a supportive environment. Join us in shaping the future of water services while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the South West.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Network in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Head of Network role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its regulatory landscape. Understand their goals and challenges, so you can showcase how your experience aligns with their vision. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in economic regulation and stakeholder engagement can drive success at South West Water. Confidence is key, so let your passion for the role come through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Network in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Economic Regulation role. Highlight your experience in economic regulation and how it aligns with our goals at South West Water. We want to see how you can make a splash in this position!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading teams and strategic programmes, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Regulatory Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in economic regulation, especially within the water sector. Familiarise yourself with recent price reviews and regulatory changes, as this will show your potential employer that you're not just knowledgeable but also proactive about staying updated.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed teams or strategic programmes. Highlight how you’ve influenced outcomes and built strong relationships with stakeholders, as this is crucial for the Head of Economic Regulation role.
✨Be a Strategic Thinker
During the interview, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare to discuss how you would approach developing long-term regulatory strategies and balancing customer affordability with financial sustainability. Use real-world examples to illustrate your thought process.
✨Engage with Questions
Don’t forget to prepare insightful questions for your interviewers. Ask about their current challenges in economic regulation or how they envision the future of the water sector. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values.
