Director of Policy and Governance

OFWAT; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job description

Join Ofwat’s Sector Performance Directorate as a Director of Policy and Governance

*Office Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) 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. 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

As Director of Policy and Governance, you will shape and deliver a range of key policies across the organisation and monitor and oversee company performance against key governance obligations and guidance.

We have an exciting expanding policy agenda that requires strategic leadership to go with corporate governance expertise. You will build on the Board Leadership, Transparency and Governance approach developed by Ofwat for the water sector, strengthening our approach in areas and further developing our approach to regulation in related topics.

Reporting to Ofwat's Senior Director for Sector Performance, you will lead a team of eight and are likely to be involved in the following areas of work:

• Developing our regulatory framework to further shape the role of boards, executive teams and senior managers in driving public trust and transparency, and ensuring firms act in the best interests of customers and the environment.
• Developing our approach to ensuring that all companies within the sector are developing executive pay and reward strategies, policies and mechanisms that are demonstrably aligned to service delivery for customers and the environment and reflect overall company performance.
• Bringing experience and expertise from comparative regulated sectors of established or emergent corporate governance practices that may be relevant to the future design or implementation of Ofwat's board leadership, transparency and governance work.

About You:

• Strong track record at Director level of provision of strategy and policy advice to create effective governance frameworks and outcomes.
• Leadership experience spanning the public/ private sector or regulated sector in areas of substantial scope across corporate governance, corporate law, ownership structures, role of boards, remuneration committee and executive leadership strategy and objective setting.
• Extensive track record of shaping policy and influencing and delivering significant programmes of work with board members, members of remuneration committees, senior executive teams.
• Ability and proven track record in delivering powerful and pragmatic solutions to complex issues, with a willingness to take hands-on approach to delivery.
• Ability to work flexibly across a wide range of strategic and tactical issues with high profile.
• Proven track record of working effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including experience of engaging effectively with Board members.

Why You Should Join Us:

• Meaningful Impact: You will be joining a team with a sense of mission at its core aiming to build a lasting legacy for future generations by securing our long-term water resilience.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture built 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 London or Birmingham offices.
• Fantastic employer pension contribution of nearly 30%.
• 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 Applications in full before the below deadline.

Closing date: 23.55 on 27 April 2025.