Head of Turnaround Policy and Performance

We are looking for a Head of Turnaround Policy and Performance to lead on Ofwat's oversight activities for companies in our Turnaround Oversight Regime. This is a high-profile role which will lead and drive necessary turnaround performance monitoring for poorly performing companies and will support our evolving approach to how we regulate the sector.
You will be managing a matrix team within Ofwat and leading on Ofwat's activities and relationship interface with advisors, water company(s) and government stakeholders. Your role will be instrumental in developing constructive outcomes to companies with deep operational and financial resilience challenges and setting a strategic course in an uncertain and complex landscape. You will be supported by a matrix of technical, legal, data and analytical expertise across Ofwat. We will shortly transition from the 2020-25 period to the 2025-30 period. With a new regulatory period comes the prospect of change, reset and opportunity to really shape the sustainable future of the water sector; particularly on how we as the economic regulator hold companies to account for performance. You will help create the conditions for delivering meaningful and transformational change for customers, stakeholders and the environment.
Experience of working within the water sector is desirable, however, we will consider applications from a variety of regulatory backgrounds (for example, water, energy, rail, telecoms etc. In fields such as; regulation, policy/strategy development, economics, operations, finance).
You will work closely with colleagues within the directorate, across Ofwat and the wider industry. This role will require you to adapt to different working styles, working collaboratively across different teams, organisations and disciplines. Building trusted and collaborative relationships, synthesising data and insight from a variety of teams and sources will be essential to success.
You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack., + Reporting to the Director of Financial Resilience, your key objectives in this role will be to manage Ofwat activities, policy and processes for companies in our Turnaround Oversight Regime ensuring we achieve our aim of overseeing and transforming company performance.
+ Lead and project manage high profile activities across Ofwat and other stakeholders, for companies in Turnaround, against challenging timescales utilising data from multiple policy areas. This may involve leading the work of consultants or delivering key outputs and publications to challenging timetables for a variety of audiences.
+ Lead and develop clear, well researched updates and insights on progress towards operational and financial resilience on company(s) in Turnaround for Directors, Senior Directors and Board based on the evaluation generated from yourself and the wider team.
+ Provide policy expertise and thought leadership at a time of competing priorities and change as we transition from one period to the next.
+ Provide coaching and support to colleagues, proactively sharing skills and knowledge and contributing to continuous improvement. Some people leadership and management experience will be required.
Ofwat is an agile working environment, so you can expect opportunities to support other directorates and to move around the organisation as work priorities shift., Please see the candidate guidance on our website for more detail and tips on how to best make your application.
Selection timetable
+ Closing date: 03 November 2024
+ Sifting: WC 04 November 2024
+ Interview date(s): WC 18 November 2024
Assessment process
Sift Stage
We operate a blind sifting model to eliminate bias. All candidate identifying information will be removed from applications.
At sift stage we will assess your application (CV and Personal Statement) against criterion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, listed in the personal statement(Experience, Skills & Knowledge) above.
In the event of receiving a large number of applications, a pre-sift may take place on just the following lead criterion:
+ Expert knowledge and proven experience leading on policy development and delivery in a regulatory environment (e.g. water, energy, rail, telecoms etc.) including appraising options, developing strategies, and formulating approaches.
In your personal statement, please tell us how your skills and experience meet the lead criterion, with examples if appropriate.
Interview Stage
Our transparent interview process involves candidates receiving a list of attribute-based questions in advance. This has been proven to help neurodiverse candidates and others to perform better at interview and is part of our inclusive culture.
We will assess your Experience, Skills and Knowledge as well as Attributes (set out in the person specification) at Interview Stage.
You can read more about Attributes in Ofwat’s Framework for Success.
As part of the interview process, we will require short presentation. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
Please note that the interviews will be conducted via video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
If the assessment process identifies more appointable candidates than roles available, a reserve list will be created for 12 months from which further appointments in merit order can be made.
If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please email recruitment@ofwat.gov.uk.
Please read the attached "Candidate Information Pack" for details on terms and conditions.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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1. Lead Criterion: Expert knowledge and proven experience leading on policy development and delivery in a regulatory environment (e.g. water, energy, rail, telecoms etc.) including appraising options, developing strategies, and formulating approaches.
2. Excellent project management skills, experience of leading significant programmes of work fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment and providing constructive challenge to drive change.
3. Degree level (or equivalent) qualification or equivalent knowledge/experience in a technical field including, but not limited to, regulation, economics, commercial and operational disciplines, finance.
4. Excellent understanding of regulation including data led monitoring of performance, protecting customers and how to effectively prioritise risks and issues, ensuring our work is impactful and value is delivered.
5. An understanding of company financing, how companies access the debt and equity and the risks around low levels of financial resilience and how that can impact on operational performance would be useful but not essential.
6. Experience of leading others (including consultants and suppliers) and managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines - including an ability to work independently, and as part of a team using creativity and innovative approaches.
7. Ability to work with senior internal and external stakeholders across multiple disciplines, communicating with credibility and clarity. This includes being skilled at communicating complex concepts and information clearly., + Champion and leader of change
+ Delivers outcomes
+ Adaptable thinker
Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for Principal Band. You can read more about Attributes here.

Why You Should Join Us:
We’re forward-thinking, creative, innovative, and ambitious. We constantly push the boundaries and embrace new ways of working.
With us, your work matters, your voice is heard, and your impact is felt. Ours is a culture of trust, flexibility, autonomy, collaboration, and innovation. We all want positive change for water customers, the environment, and the future of water.
But for us, change is more than what happens on the outside – we’ve always pushed boundaries internally, too. From becoming the first Civil Service organisation to achieve ‘Smarter Working’ status, to gaining our prestigious ‘Smarter Working Maturity’ award, we’ve consistently demonstrated our commitment to embracing innovative ways of working. Our people do their best work when given freedom over where, when, and how they work. Which is why we trust our teams to balance meaningful collaboration in the office with the flexibility of working from home.
You will also benefit from:
+ Excellent employer pension contributions of 28.97% (around £15,940 to £23,176 per annum for this role). You can find further details about pension schemes under Terms and Conditions in the Candidate Pack.
+ 27.5 days leave (25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege leave) increasing to max 32.5 days with each year of service, plus bank holidays
+ Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail
outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
+ Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle.
+ Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
+ Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
+ Generous shared parental leave and pay.
+ Enhanced sick pay.
+ Regular development opportunities.
+ Health and wellbeing initiatives.
+ Season ticket loan for home-to-office travel.
+ Cycle-to-work scheme.