Head of Economic Regulation

Reporting to the Regulation Director, the Head of Economic Regulation is responsible for leading Dŵr Cymru's economic regulation activities. The role provides strategic oversight of price control development, economic regulatory policy, and engagement with economic regulators, governments and other stakeholders. You will ensure that regulatory strategies, submissions and negotiations protect customer interests, support long-term affordability and resilience, and enable the delivery of Dŵr Cymru's strategic objectives.

As a senior leader within Finance, Regulation & Business Performance, you will provide expert economic insight, lead regulatory tactics lead specialist teams and support Executive and Board decision-making in line with the Target Operating Model., 1. Lead economic regulation activities for the company, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, customer outcomes and regulatory expectations. 2. Own and lead on outcomes aspects of price reviews, including performance commitments, price control deliverables and other incentives frameworks.

3. Provide strategic leadership for engagement with economic regulators and government.
4. Lead the development of regulatory tactics and responses to draft and final determinations.
5. Oversee regulatory analysis and evidence supporting regulatory submissions and negotiations.
6. Provide expert advice to Executive and Board on economic regulatory issues, trade-offs and risks.
7. Coordinate economic regulatory inputs across Finance, Assets, Operations and Strategy to ensure coherent submissions.
8. Lead responses to policy consultations and developments impacting economic regulation. Representing the organisation externally, contributing to industry forums, consultations and policy discussions.
9. Ensure robust governance, assurance and quality control of economic regulatory outputs. 10. Represent Welsh Water externally at industry forums, regulatory working groups and stakeholder events, contributing to sector-wide policy development and best practice.

Degree or equivalent professional qualification in economics, finance, regulation, or a related discipline.

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or economist

• Extensive senior-level experience in economic regulation within a regulated utility or similar complex regulatory environment.
• Proven experience leading regulatory submissions, price controls and regulatory negotiations with particular emphasis on outcomes.
• Current experience managing price review processes, including business plan development, determinations and appeals decisions.
• Demonstrable experience of engaging with economic regulators and representing organisational positions at senior level.
• Proven track record of commissioning and managing external assurance providers on price control submissions including business plan tables.
• Experience leading specialist regulatory or economic teams and coordinating complex cross-business inputs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver complex cross-functional programmes.

• Deep understanding of economic regulation, price controls and regulatory frameworks in the water sector or comparable industries.
• Strong knowledge of outcomes frameworks, performance incentives, cost assessment and risk allocation.
• Exceptionally strong analytical, critical thinking and modelling capability, with the ability to provide clear insight and challenge.
• Ability to interpret regulatory policy and translate it into clear strategies and delivery actions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, including at Executive and Board level.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to motivate…