Deputy Chief Economist

Job title: Deputy Chief Economist

Position type: Permanent

Job reference: 409525

Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working

Salary: £88,385 - £110,000

Closing date: Sunday 22nd June 2025 at 23:55

Application method: apply via Civil Service Jobs -  Deputy Chief Economist - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK

Join Ofwat as a Deputy Chief Economist in our Chief Economist Team.

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. Our work has genuine significance – no other organisation does the work we do. It’s unique and meaningful: keeping our water flowing; ensuring water bills don’t cost a penny more than needed; holding water companies to account. Come and work at the source of everyday life.

The Role

We have two opportunities for a Deputy Chief Economist to join our Chief Economist Team within the Office of the Chief Executive Directorate.

Reporting to the Chief Economist, you will have responsibility for overseeing key areas of CET's work by leading teams to develop rigorous economic thinking and advice to inform our policies, including on how to improve the current regulatory framework so that Ofwat delivers its strategic objectives. You may also be required to lead on international engagement.  

As Deputy Chief Economist, you will be involved in and/or lead some of the following areas of work:  

• The design of regulatory frameworks, such as our approach to price controls.
• Check and challenge of work developed across the office.  
• Assessments of mergers between water companies.  
• Advising on, or carrying out, ex-ante impact assessment and ex-post evaluation of Ofwat’s work. 
• Supporting policy development or providing economic advice across the office where skills do not exist within the teams.
• Leading our international engagement programme.  
• Lead a team of approximately 5 members, role modelling, and encouraging others to display Ofwat's preferred ways of working, behaviours, and values. 
• Provide economic advice on economic and/or quantitative issues across areas at Ofwat.
• Communicate clearly, tailored to suit the needs of the audience, in a strategic, influential, succinct, and persuasive manner.  

About You

Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:

1.     Significant knowledge of regulatory economics as well as experience in applying economic analysis in economic regulation and/or competition policy; and an understanding of the benefits this can deliver for customers.

2.    Experience of managing the design, development, and delivery of economic policy projects.

3.    A degree in economics or a discipline with significant economic content.

4.    Experience of thought leadership - developing original economic thinking, sharing expertise and inspiring action.

5.    Previous experience working with senior leadership team and/or board.

6.    Excellent analytical skills, ability to understand, develop and challenge complex frameworks, identifying, analysing and accurately interpreting a range of data and insights to inform evidence-based decisions and solutions on complex problems.

7.    Proven leadership and team management skills fostering a culture of collaboration within and across teams and external partnerships.

8.    Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to address conflicting interests.

9.    Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to understand and concisely explain complex issues in non-technical language.  

Why Join Us

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to our purpose to drive water companies to deliver more for customers and the environment.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile working and a culture of 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 meaningful collaboration in our London or Birmingham offices.

Other Benefits

• Excellent employer pension contribution of over 28%
• 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.

 To read more about the role and selection process, please follow the link to apply.