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- Tasks: Lead economic analysis to inform policy and regulatory decisions in the water sector.
- Company: Ofwat, the regulator for water services in England and Wales.
- Benefits: Flexible working, hybrid options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental and customer-focused policies in a dynamic sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in regulatory economics and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
OverviewOfwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, regulates the water sector in England and Wales. We have an opportunity for a Principal Economist to join our Chief Economist Team within the Office of the Chief Executive Directorate. The water sector is entering a new chapter as the UK government sets a bold direction and Ofwat will work with government and regulators to support decision-making for England and Wales. Our mission remains: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and deliver value for customers, communities and the environment.Job DescriptionThe Chief Economists Team (CET) is part of the Office of the Chief Executive, comprising cross-cutting teams including legal, communications, corporate governance, secretariat, investor relations and information governance. The CET’s goal is to ensure Ofwat delivers the highest quality economic analysis. The CET reports directly to the Chief Executive and contributes to strategic work programmes, including the transition to the new regulatory framework, mergers and competition work, research pieces, and impact assessments. It supports other teams across Ofwat by scrutinising price review proposals, supporting market development, and policy development across environment, customers and innovation. Ofwat is looking for four Principal Economists to join the CET. The Principal Economists will contribute to delivering regulatory commitments for customers and the environment, providing rigorous economic thinking and advice to inform policies and support the strategic objectives and transition to the new regime. You will have excellent analytical skills, significant experience in regulatory economics, and experience managing the design, development and delivery of economic projects. You will be supported by an economics director and will have responsibility for managing more junior team members.ResponsibilitiesLead on key areas of CET’s work by providing rigorous economic thinking and advice to inform policy and regulatory decisions.Support the transition to the new regulatory regime and contribute to strategic programmes.Scrutinise price review proposals and support regulatory policy development across environment, customers and innovation.Manage and develop junior economists within the team.Collaborate with other Ofwat teams and external stakeholders as required.QualificationsSignificant experience in regulatory economics.Excellent analytical skills and the ability to deliver high-quality economic analysis.Experience managing the design, development and delivery of economic projects.Ability to work in a cross-functional team and contribute to policy development.LocationBirmingham, LondonContract typeFull time, Loan, Permanent, SecondmentProfessionEconomist, PrincipalWorking patternFlexible working, HybridClosing Date12/10/2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Economist employer: UK Regulators' Network
Contact Detail:
UK Regulators' Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Economist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ofwat on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insights into the company culture and what they really value in a Principal Economist.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your regulatory economics knowledge. We recommend diving into recent Ofwat reports and understanding their strategic objectives. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your analytical skills with real-world scenarios. Think about how you would approach price review proposals or policy development. We want to see your thought process, so be ready to share your ideas during the interview!
✨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 take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Economist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Economist role. Highlight your experience in regulatory economics and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Ofwat!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires excellent analytical skills, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of your economic analysis work. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex problems and delivered high-quality results in the past.
Highlight Team Collaboration: We’re all about teamwork here at Ofwat! Make sure to mention your experience working in cross-functional teams and how you’ve contributed to policy development. Show us that you can collaborate effectively with others.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Regulators' Network
✨Know Your Economics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your regulatory economics knowledge. Be prepared to discuss specific economic theories and how they apply to the water sector. We recommend reviewing recent policy changes and their implications for Ofwat, as this will show your understanding of the current landscape.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
During the interview, be ready to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Prepare examples of past projects where you delivered high-quality economic analysis. We suggest using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Highlight Your Team Management Experience
As a Principal Economist, you'll be managing junior team members. Share your experiences in mentoring or leading teams, focusing on how you developed their skills and contributed to their success. We believe that showcasing your leadership style can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about working with different teams and stakeholders. Think of examples where you collaborated on projects that required input from various departments. We encourage you to emphasise your communication skills and ability to navigate complex discussions to achieve common goals.