Join Ofwat’s RAPID Team as a Senior Analyst – Major Water Infrastructure Programme
*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 Analyst – Major Water Infrastructure Programme to join our RAPID team at Senior Associate level. which is dedicated to overseeing the development of strategic water supply options, ensuring these are sustainable for the long term and delivering the best value for society and the environment.
Following Ofwat’s final determination for the Price Review 2024, we are embarking on an ambitious journey with a significant programme of 28 Strategic Resource Options (SROs). SROs may include reservoirs, water transfers, water recycling or desalination infrastructure being developed by one or more water companies. These are progressed within our gated programme which supports their development and helps coordinate regulatory oversight.
Focusing on a subset of water supply infrastructure projects in our programme, you will act as the day-to-day contact for a group of SROs supporting their smooth and efficient delivery. You will engage with a wide range of stakeholders including government bodies, regulators, and water companies, as well as other relevant sectors and interested parties. You will also have a role in shaping the gated process and you will manage the gate assessment of your portfolio of SROs. In this way, you will play a vital role in the successful delivery of new supply infrastructure which is essential to improving the resilience of water supplies and reducing unsustainable abstraction from the environment.
As a senior associate, you will operate with substantial autonomy and be expected to plan and progress your work independently. Alongside this, you will have supervision from senior colleagues, and you will work within a network of experienced engagement leads and subject matter experts available to support you and help shape your development. Your work will also be supported by a specialised project management office to equip you with the tools you need to focus on adding value and achieving results.
You will have the opportunity to work on some of the most important capital projects in the water sector and the accompanying policy issues. These projects are vital to meeting current and future customers’ needs, and you will have a direct impact on ensuring companies are delivering for customers.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Lead Criterion: Knowledge and understanding of water sector regulation, water resources planning, environmental policy and/or major infrastructure planning or delivery gained through experience in a relevant role.
- Experience of working under pressure, effectively planning, prioritising, and managing a varied and changing workload to meet different, and often tight, deadlines.
- Ability to work independently, and as part of a team, using creativity and innovative approaches to achieve results.
- 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.
- Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to non-technical audiences and experience of formulating, presenting, and writing clear and concise evidence-based advice to inform policy development and decision making.
- Ability to think strategically and use creative problem solving in complex areas.
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 build 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.
- 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 about the role. Please ensure you have submitted your application in full before the below deadline.
Closing date: 23.55 on 15 April 2026
