Job Title: Senior Policy Leader - Finance            

Location: Birmingham or Cardiff (Hybrid and Flexible Working Opportunities)

About us

CCW is the passionate independent voice representing water consumers in England & Wales. We support thousands of people each year, providing free advice and support helping people to resolve their complaints with their water company in an easy, caring way. We champion everyone’s needs and interests, completing and showcasing research that influences water companies, government, and the regulator to make change happen.

Our values

We expect and support all CCW colleagues to embody and celebrate CCW’s values through Positive Energy, Respect for all, Innovative spirit, Delivery of our promises and being Engaged as one (PRIDE).

What you’ll be doing

Reporting into the Head of Policy Delivery you will be responsible for leading, developing and implementing our policies related to the company finances.This includes:

• Assessing companies’ year on year price proposals and supporting tariff structures, steering CCW's position on the acceptability of tariffs and pricing and leading conversations where challenge is needed. The post holder will be expected to report to CCW Board on companies’ emerging charging proposals.

• Examining Ofwat and water companies’ annual and interim accounts and annual performance reports to identify areas of financial performance where there is a legitimate customer interest. The post holder will own the repository of financial information and will be expected to develop/update this annually.

• Annually summarising companies’ financial performance, including where companies have gained incentive rewards and penalties.  The post holder will advise CCW colleagues about the implications for customers, to inform constructive conversations with companies about their performance and where improvements are needed.

• Advising the Board, Executive and policy team of issues with company financial performance to inform discussions with Ofwat, water companies and other stakeholders, particularly if the regulatory framework appears skewed to company/shareholders to the detriment of customers.

• Advising policy team colleagues of issues, trends and observations from company financial performance that can inform other areas of policy such as charging and tariffs, and how the water sector is regulated’.

• Keeping abreast of other regulatory frameworks to inform CCW’s work and challenge on financial performance.

• Leading on areas of Ofwat’s Periodic Review of water company charges. This will include weighted average cost of capital, totex efficiency, incentives.

• Working with companies on understanding their plans to trial and implement alternative charging structures with the dual aim of addressing affordability issues whilst also providing the right pricing signals that reflect the continuing costs of supply and the challenges of water scarcity.

• Providing data analysis, modelling and insights on a broader range of issues to support our policy work, complementing the work of both our policy team and our evidence and insights team.

Leading a policy programme within a specific realm of policy responsibility, this role supports the implementation of CCW's Forward Work Programme and operational business plan.

You will advocate for enhancements for water consumers by spearheading relevant campaigns and initiatives, directly engaging with senior stakeholders nationally and within companies. By being a trusted expert in a critical policy area, you will elevate CCW's major policy work to a leading position within the sector, setting the standard for industry best practices.

Sharing policy and financial expertise and knowledge with your colleagues will be crucial for informing and enhancing their capabilities, while also sharing good practice across the sector. You will keep CCW informed and prepared for external policy shifts or operational challenges relevant to their policy domain, actively identifying and addressing emerging policies or issues, and identifying opportunities for CCW to take the lead.

Building strong relationships with external stakeholders pertinent to the policy area is essential. Additionally, taking charge of specific programmes and projects on behalf of the Director of Policy, Research, and Campaigns is part of the responsibilities as needed.

Please note: This is a hybrid role with a frequent requirement to visit the Birmingham office, often on a weekly basis.  Overnight stays in Birmingham and other parts of the country will be required.

Who we’re looking for

As SeniorPolicy Leader for finance,you will be able to demonstrate:

• In depth understanding of financial structures and models;

• Experience of comparing financial performance between businesses;

• Proven ability to translate complex financial material into user friendly language.

• Policy development skills.

• Leadership and strategic input on lead policy areas.

• Price review input to influence company business plans.

• Financial interrogation.

• Influencing the agenda.

• Stakeholder engagement.

• Collaboration with partner organisations on mutually beneficial policy projects.

• Campaign management.

• Experience and knowledge of regulated environments.

• Ability to represent CCW effectively with external stakeholders.

• Willingness to travel around England and Wales.

• Flexibility to work occasionally outside normal office hours.

Salary & Benefits

A starting salary of £47k-£52k.

Benefits include:

• Civil service pension.

• Flexitime - up to an extra 24 days off per year.

• Generous annual leave provision– 25 days rising by 1 day each year (max 30 days).

• Flexible working options.

• Retailer and healthcare discounts/cashback.

• Travel season ticket loans.

• Bicycle loans.

• Employee Assistance Programme and much more.