Details Reference number 347982 Salary £47,350 - £52,023 A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% GBP Job grade Grade 7 Contract type Permanent Business area CCFW - Policy Type of role Policy Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Birmingham or Cardiff with blended working pattern About the job Job summary 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 everyones 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 CCWs values through Positive Energy, Respect for all, Innovative spirit, Delivery of our promises and being Engaged as one (PRIDE). What youll be doing Reporting to the Head of Policy Delivery, the Senior Policy Leader for finance is responsible for leading, developing and implementing CCWs policies related to company finances, in accordance with our vision, programmes and campaigns. You will use your understanding of financial structures and models to assess information like company price proposals, tariff structures, interim and annual accounts to identify areas of legitimate customer interest, potential detriment or concern. You will be able to translate this complex information for colleagues, including the Executive team and Board, to steer CCWs position and highlight areas where we need to challenge, examine or discuss with the industry. You will support colleagues in leading conversations around financial matters with companies. 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. Key Duties & Accountabilities: The post holder will be CCWs policy lead on matters relating to company finances. This includes but is not limited to: Assessing companies year on year price proposals and supporting tariff structures, steering CCW's position on the acceptability of them and leading conversations where challenge is needed. The post holder will be expected to report to the 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 angle. 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 CCWs work and challenge on financial performance. Leading on areas of Ofwats 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 our insights team. Leadership For area of responsibility: lead work for area of expertise in line with expectations in CCWs Leadership Charter and deliver a service to internal and external customers that is viewed as excellent. Have a clear understanding of Policy Managers workloads and liaise with Head of Policy and Heads of Company Engagement to ensure effective prioritisation of resources and delivery. Ensure both the Work Progress Report and the Policy Managers notes are updated on a monthly basis and to a high standard of completeness and accuracy. Share priorities and knowledge, in a proportionate way, with the rest of the organisation so they understand what is happening in area of responsibility, through establishing and leading communities of practice. Provide leadership and strategic input in all matters relating to their lead policy area, and positively contribute to wider policy development. Be an active and effective member of the CCW senior leadership team, contributing to all discussions/decisions; taking the lead in matters relating to their policy area. Promote equality of opportunity and embed diversity and inclusion across the organisation. Champion the ongoing modernisation of CCWs working practices. Continuously review business policies and processes to identify new and more imaginative ways of working; in order to deliver a more effective, efficient and professional operation. Policy Development and Implementation Support the development and delivery of the Policy and Researchs Forward Work Programme outputs and targets, in a way that: focusses on customers strategic priorities; delivers outputs and outcomes in a way that is recognised by key stakeholders, internally and externally; continues to motivate the team to deliver their best; gives opportunity to all staff across CCW to input views and ideas Develop and deliver a clear plan and long-term strategy for lead policy area that is continuously assessed and updated to reflect evolving priorities and policy changes. Responsible for relevant policy development activities, ensuring that CCWs positions are not only reflective of the current state of play, but also set the agenda on our priorities. Provide relevant policy input into price review; secure price review policy changes, support for policy managers to influence business plans and robust analysis of business plans / Ofwats determinations. Ensure that the Policy Handbook is kept up to date on a continuous basis. Influencing the Agenda Identify and work with the Evidence and Insights team to develop and commission projects to deliver valuable insights. Use the outputs from those projects to influence (and help others to influence) governments, regulators, companies and other stakeholders, as required. Through assimilation and analysis of the latest data, insights, or consumer perceptions, produce robust conclusions that can be used to influence our own policy and the positions of others. Work with partner organisations on policy projects of mutual benefit Lead, shape and quality-assure all consultations within lead work area and ensure wider implications and work areas are considered. Create and quality assure relevant Board papers on lead area. Lead the identification and sharing of best practice in key policy areas. Respond to requests for expert briefing and information from senior internal and external stakeholders (e.g. Executive or Government Ministers) as required. Form, or contribute to, messages for all media activity for lead area of work. Work with wider CCW team to promote our messaging on a range of subjects in order to influence; governments, regulators, companies and other stakeholders, and to ensure CCWs position is clear to customers. Speak authoritatively and engagingly at conferences and with broadcast and in written media on behalf of CCW. Campaigning Leading the delivery phase of campaigns related to areas of policy expertise. Driving campaign development within CCW, delivering new ideas to take forward our policy agenda. Work to integrate our campaigns across CCW, ensuring that communications on our campaigns are clear and consistent for external stakeholders. Help promote awareness and participation, across the organisation, for CCWs campaigns. Suggest initiatives that promote an equal opportunity for others to be involved with development and delivery of our campaigns. Act as a spokesperson, as needed, for CCWs campaigns that are aligned to lead area. External Stakeholders Establish and maintain productive working relationships, developing partnerships and joint working as necessary. Create and run communities of practice for lead area of work. Plan, expand and lead stakeholder engagement with all relevant parties and expand our collaboration with parties for lead area of work. Represent CCW in meetings, panels and at conferences. Carry out other duties within the scope of the role as required by the Director of Policy, Research and Campaigning. Management of Resources: Financial Resources (budgets for which the jobholder is responsible) This post would have no direct research or consultancy budget. Human Resources (staff for whom the jobholder is directly responsible) This post would have no formal line management responsibilities. For campaigns and programmes for which post holder would lead they would manage staff, with up to six people in each project team. Equipment Laptop/tablet Mobile phone Contacts and Communication: (indicate significant others, both internal and external, giving reason for the contact) Internal Daily contact the Director of Policy, Research and Campaigning Daily contact with Senior Policy Leaders Frequent contact with wider Policy and Research team Frequent contact with Executive team members and their teams Regular contact with wider staff External Regular contact with water companies Regular contact with other consumer bodies and NGOs. Regular contact with water sector and government stakeholders at a senior level. Appearances at conferences and on national / local media Person specification Who were looking for As Senior Policy 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. Benefits Alongside your salary of £47,350, Consumer Council for Water contributes £12,785 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Annual leave entitlement starting at 25 days rising by one day annually to a maximum of 30 days, plus 10.5 Bank Holidays and Privilege leave. Benefits include Civil Service Pension, Flexitime with up to an extra 24 days off per year, Generous Annual Leave provision, Flexible Working Options, Retailer and Healthcare discounts/cashback, Travel Season Ticket Loans, Bicycle Loans, Employee Assistance Programme and much more. Things you need to know Selection process details This recruitment is being managed by our recruitment partners, Greenbean. For full details of how to apply please go to CCW jobs · greenbean (greenbeanrpo.com) Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service