Catchment Management Lead

Ofwat; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading regulatory authority as a Catchment Management Lead, focusing on sustainable water practices and policy development. This role blends strategic thinking with practical outcomes in catchment management, contributing to environmental resilience and public trust. Enjoy hybrid working and a supportive culture while making a meaningful impact in the water sector.

Benefits

28% employer pension contribution

25 days' annual leave, increasing to 30

Exclusive discounts on goods and services

Fees for professional body memberships paid

Up to 3 volunteering days per year

Recognition vouchers scheme

Generous shared parental leave and pay

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in catchment management, ideally with regulators.
• Leadership in policy analysis and regulatory recommendations.
• Experience embedding biodiversity in frameworks.
• Understanding of UK water industry regulation.
• Strong understanding of nature-based solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic and technical approach to catchment management.
• Advance nature-based solutions and enhance biodiversity outcomes.
• Ensure regulatory approaches evolve for climate adaptation.

Skills

Catchment management

Biodiversity

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Job description

Job title: Catchment Management Lead

Position type: Permanent

Job reference: 416275

No. Vacancies: 1

Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working

Salary: £57,783 - £67,000

Closing date: Sunday 3rd August 2025 at 23:55

Join Ofwat as a Catchment Management Lead in our Environment Team.

About Us

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Our work has genuine significance - no other organisation does the work we do. It's unique and meaningful: keeping our water flowing; ensuring water bills don't cost a penny more than needed; holding water companies to account. Come and work at the source of everyday life.

The Role

In this newly created role, you will lead our strategic and technical approach to catchment management, with a focus on advancing nature-based solutions and enhancing biodiversity outcomes. The role will support the integration of environmental and economic objectives, ensuring that water companies increasingly adopt catchment-based approaches that are resilient, efficient, and aligned with long-term water resource management.

The role will see you playing a pivotal role in ensuring Ofwat is ready to respond to the outcomes of the Independent Water Commission review, and the review of Defra's regulatory landscape. Consequently, you will ensure our regulatory approach evolves to support resilient infrastructure, climate adaptation, and nature recovery, while also delivering economic growth and public trust.

You will be comfortable representing Ofwat and communicating Ofwat policy to environmental stakeholders including government officials, water companies and others. You will provide advice and make recommendations, ensuring Ofwat understands and can incorporate catchment management into its work, proactively sharing skills and knowledge.

You will have an excellent understanding of environmental issues and experience of the water sector. Ideally, you will also have a good professional network within the water sector relevant to environmental policy. You will be comfortable working independently and at pace in an agile environment. You will continue to hone your judgement and be expected to exercise it responsibly in line with our strategy and ways of working. In turn, you will have opportunities to develop and consolidate your skill set.

About You

Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:

1. Extensive experience in catchment management, which may include but not be limited to nature-based solutions, and biodiversity, ideally working within or alongside a regulator or government department.

2. Proven successful leadership in catchment management policy analysis and delivery, with the ability to translate technical evidence into clear, practical policy or regulatory recommendations.

3. Experience in embedding biodiversity, resilience, and environmental net gain within regulatory frameworks, cost assessments, and strategic environmental planning.

4. Sound understanding of UK water industry regulation, including relevant legislation, frameworks, and key institutions (e.g. Ofwat, Defra, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales), and the ability to navigate regulatory processes to influence outcomes.

5. Strong understanding of the design, implementation and evaluation of nature-based solutions in a water or land-use context.

6. Excellent communication skills, and the ability to synthesize complex technical, scientific, and economic information for diverse audiences.

7. Strategic thinking with the ability to influence high-level decision-making.

8. Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.

Follow the link to Apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your Applications in full before the below deadline.

Why Join Us

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to our purpose to drive water companies to deliver more for customers and the environment.

• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile working and a culture of trust, flexibility, and collaboration.

• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.

• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with meaningful collaboration in our London or Birmingham offices.

Other Benefits

• Excellent employer pension contribution of over 28%

• 25 days' annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.

• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.

• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.

• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.

• Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.

• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.

To read more about the role and selection process, please follow the link to apply.