Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland. Scottish Water is looking for an experienced and influential Regulatory Economics Manager to lead a specialist team of economists and provide rigorous economic insight that supports Scottish Water’s regulatory obligations and long‑term strategic decision‑making.
Overview
In this pivotal leadership role you will help the business understand, demonstrate and communicate value, efficiency and affordability, while supporting effective investment decisions that deliver for customers across Scotland. You will sit at the heart of Strategy & Regulation and play a key part in shaping how Scottish Water responds to the requirements of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) and how robust economic evidence is embedded across business planning, investment prioritisation and performance frameworks.
Responsibilities
* Develop and manage a high‑performing team of economists, recruiting, coaching, mentoring and building capability within the specialist team.
* Oversee analysis of efficiency and performance, preparing robust evidence for regulatory submissions.
* Present complex economic reasoning clearly and concisely to internal and external stakeholders.
* Provide rigorous economic input and challenge to support longer‑term planning and policy development, including work on supply and demand balance, surface water management and the future of charging for services.
* Collaborate with the Business Economics Manager to develop, test and implement pragmatic cost‑benefit analysis tools and costing approaches that support sound investment decision‑making, from long‑term strategic assessments through to project‑level decisions.
* Ensure economic insight is understood, trusted and used across the business, building strong relationships, influencing key decision‑making forums, and helping colleagues apply economic tools and analysis in a practical and proportionate way.
* Jointly account for managing a significant consultancy budget, ensuring external support delivers value for money and aligns with agreed priorities.
Qualifications
* Significant professional experience in economics, with strong regulatory economics expertise and the ability to apply economic reasoning to real‑world commercial and strategic decisions.
* Master’s‑level qualification in Economics, or equivalent depth of study.
* Track record of delivering high‑quality analysis in a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment.
* Experience of recruiting, coaching, mentoring and developing economists, building capability within a specialist team.
* Strong stakeholder‑management and communication skills, with the ability to explain economic insight and challenge clearly, concisely and persuasively to senior decision‑makers and non‑specialist audiences.
* Evidence of developing and implementing technical economic analysis such as econometric analysis of cost efficiency, cost‑benefit analysis and costing methodologies, and shaping approaches that support strategic and investment decisions.
* Experience of working in, or alongside, a regulated or infrastructure‑based environment is highly desirable.
What the role is offering
* Competitive salary starting at £69,247, with the potential to advance to £86,887 based on consistent out‑performance.
* Full‑time role (35 hours per week) with flexible working hours and a balanced hybrid model.
* 38 days holiday each year, including public holidays, with the option to buy up to five additional days.
* Family‑friendly policies covering adoption, maternity and parental leave, and a flexible approach to everyday work.
* Defined benefit pension and generous life assurance.
* Annual company bonus and access to the SW Splash rewards programme.
* Opportunity to influence Scottish Water’s approach to regulation, investment and long‑term decision‑making at a national level.
* Support for major life events and a commitment to work health and safety, including mandatory drug & alcohol testing in line with policy.
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