Water Reform Legislation Lead

Job summary

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

We have an opportunity for a Water Reform Legislation Lead to join our Integration Unit Team within the Government Engagement and WalesDirectorate.

The water sector is entering a new chapter. The government has set out a bold new direction, bringing together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are collaborating with fellow regulators to respond to recommendations in The Independent Water Commission Report, the Welsh Government’s response to the Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, and the Government’s White Paper, A new vision for water.

Ofwat is working with the government and other regulators to help create a new body for England, bringing together our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Natural England. We are also continuing to work with the Welsh Government to support decisions on the future arrangements for Wales.

While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.

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.

Job description

The role will be based in the Office of the Chief of Staff, within the Integration Unit. The Integration unit was established in May 2026 to provide central coordination of Ofwat's transition to the new integrated water regulator. As a newly created and high-profile function, the unit plays a pivotal role in supporting one of the most significant transformation programmes in Ofwat's history.

The team works across the organisation to ensure that transition activity, legislative reform and the wider water reform programme are strategically aligned, effectively coordinated and delivered in a coherent and well-sequenced way. It provides senior leaders with the insight, coordination and assurance needed to support informed decision-making and successful delivery.

The Water Reform Legislation Lead role has an important and valuable contribution to enable us to deliver on our goals and regulatory commitments.

We are looking for a Senior Associate to join Ofwat’s Integration unit as our Water Reform Legislation Lead. This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of Ofwat’s contribution to the Clean Water Bill and the wider transition to a new integrated water regulator.

The role will coordinate Ofwat’s input into legislation being led by DEFRA, bringing together expertise from across policy, legal and operational teams so that Ofwat can provide clear, timely and well-evidenced advice. The postholder will work closely with DEFRA’s Bill team, Ofwat senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation to track legislative developments, manage risks and dependencies, and support effective engagement at each stage of the Bill process.

This role would suit someone with experience working in collaborative environments where priorities, timescales and direction can evolve. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong organisational and coordination skills, an ability to work effectively through ambiguity, and experience influencing stakeholders and securing collaboration across organisational boundaries. As DEFRA owns the Bill and the wider legislative process, the role requires a pragmatic and adaptable approach to delivery.

Key deliverables:

In this role you will be expected to:

• Lead the coordination of Ofwat’s input into the Clean Water Bill and further secondary legislation flowing from this, ensuring that contributions from across the organisation are brought together, tested and provided to DEFRA in a timely and coherent way.
• Act as a key link between Ofwat and DEFRA’s Bill team, supporting effective working relationships, clarifying asks and deadlines, and helping Ofwat respond constructively to DEFRA’s requirements.
• Coordinate Ofwat’s policy, legal, and operational expertise so that Ofwat’s advice is well-evidenced, joined up and reflects the breadth of organisational knowledge.
• Maintain a clear overview of legislative activity, milestones, risks and dependencies, ensuring that Ofwat understands what is required, by when, and where senior input or decision-making is needed.
• Prepare clear briefings, updates and products for senior leaders, including summaries of legislative developments, key issues, risks, choices and areas where Ofwat may seek to influence Government’s thinking.
• Work closely with Legal, Government Engagement, policy and Communications colleagues to ensure that Ofwat’s legislative input is aligned with wider stakeholder engagement, communications and organisational priorities.
• Identify and manage risks and issues relating to Ofwat’s contribution to the Bill, including capacity pressures, unclear ownership, competing priorities and dependencies on Government or partner regulators.
• Support the wider work of the Integration Unit and Office of the Chief of Staff, providing flexible support across strategic, corporate and programme priorities as business needs evolve. This includes contributing to the transition to a new regulator and other high-priority activities, recognising that legislative reform is one part of a broader programme of change.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge:

Experience, skills and knowledge

1. Lead criterion: Significant experience leading or coordinating complex policy work across multiple teams or organisations, with the ability to bring together diverse views, evidence and expertise into clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations for decision-makers that align with wider organisational objectives.
2. Experience working collaboratively across different professional disciplines, bringing together expertise from areas such as policy, legal, communications, governance or corporate services to support effective decision-making.
3. Experience operating effectively in ambiguity and change, demonstrating resilience, adaptability and sound judgement in programmes where priorities, timelines and direction may evolve.
4. Strong organisational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple workstreams, track actions, identify dependencies and maintain oversight of delivery in a fast-paced environment.
5. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise and influential written and verbal communications for a range of audiences, incl