Graduate Strategy & Regulation- Economist

SevernTrentLife; Coventry; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK utility company in Coventry is seeking graduates for their comprehensive graduate programme. The programme consists of three placements focusing on project management, business strategy, and economic regulation. Ideal candidates should possess strong analytical skills and a collaborative spirit, with roles designed to develop future leaders in the industry. Starting salary is £31,500, along with various benefits.

Benefits

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme up to £2,225

Leading pension scheme

Sharesave opportunity

Dedicated training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Family friendly policies

Two paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Strong analytical mindset and genuine interest in economics and regulation.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Curiosity to learn quickly in a reactive environment.

Responsibilities

• Complete 3 placements gaining exposure to various departments.
• Influence business strategy and long-term planning.
• Engage with stakeholders from various departments.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Excellent communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Project management exposure

Job description

LET’S CUT STRAIGHT TO IT

At Severn Trent, we believe everyone deserves more. More care for the environment, more sustainable initiatives, and more support for the communities we serve. That's why we're on a mission to deliver bigger and better things, and we need passionate graduates like you to help us achieve our goals.

Our people and culture are the heart of our success. We're proud to be in the top 5% of utility companies worldwide for employee engagement and ranked as a Top 50 UK Employer on Glassdoor. With nearly 10,000 dedicated colleagues, we're looking for more brilliant people who are eager to turn challenges into opportunities for a better future.

If you're excited to learn, and ready to make a real impact, we want you on our team.

LET’S TELL YOU MORE

Our Graduate Programme offers the perfect blend of personal and professional development, exposing you to both the mechanics of how a regulated business works, but also its future strategic direction and how we can think innovatively to develop compelling strategies.

The programme comprises of 3 x 9‑month placements across Economic Regulation and related teams, which you will have the opportunity to shape. Each placement will give you a real insight into our business and provide you the opportunity to learn about our strategic and regulatory agendas. You will work on a range of projects, which will help address real life challenges and projects and help drive tangible change.

You will learn how we:

• Develop, manage, and deliver our five‑year business plans within the regulatory framework
• Assess regulatory impacts, and advise on policy decisions that shape the future of the water industry
• Influence business strategy and long‑term planning

The programme aims to give you the necessary skills to become future leaders within Economic Regulation and related teams. Furthermore, the programme is designed to enhance your critical thinking, leadership, and strategic thinking, as well as giving you the opportunity to showcase your creativity and really add value in shaping our future direction. You’ll also gain experience across our whole group, including our regulated and non‑regulated businesses.

We welcome all graduates from diverse backgrounds, as we know diverse minds bring new ideas and a different way of thinking. We are looking for someone who wants to build their career with us and grasp new opportunities, and in return we will support you with varied experiences, training and development to provide a grounding for your future career.

HOW WILL THE PROGRAMME WORK?

You will be based at Severn Trent Headquarters in Coventry, the heart of our patch. The programme requires you to complete 3 placements throughout your time in the role, gaining exposure in different areas of the department so that you are equipped with the right skills to build your career here at Severn Trent.

In this exciting programme, you will have the chance to discuss your development and career ambitions in your 1‑1 meetings with business leads, mentors, a study buddy, the cohort leader, and the New Talent Team.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

You will expand your knowledge of project and people management, including learning how to effectively manage and influence stakeholders. You’ll also gain a strong business and commercial acumen, developing your ability to plan strategically with time, cost, and quality in mind, and how to deliver this message successfully to a range of stakeholders.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of why we deliver with our customers at the heart of what we do and how we make sure we communicate this message across our communities.

You will learn the following either directly from placements, or through supplementary training or project work:

People

• Engagement with many different stakeholders across our departments from technical experts through to senior leaders, such as programme sponsors and directors

• Working with multi‑disciplinary teams across our business, gaining an understanding of and contributing to cultural and behavioural change.

• Management of people through project management and direct line management.

Customer

• An important role on projects with a customer experience focus

• Customer insight/market research skills

• Customer engagement methods including the ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to customers

Project

• Project lifecycle exposure

• Informal project management that demonstrates PM skills required

• Understanding of stakeholder management within projects and understanding of project tools

Commercial

• Understanding of the regulatory environment in water and Severn Trent’s funding model

• Understanding of wider macroeconomic, environmental and political factors impacting the water industry

• Business planning and strategic planning skills to influence outcomes that balance efficiency, sustainability, and customer interests.

Regulatory Economics and Policy

• Practical application of micro, macro and regulatory economics
• Gaining expertise in markets and competition policy

• Practical application of econometrics and regulatory financial and tariff modelling
• Cost benefit analysis techniques

• Working knowledge of programmes such as STATA/Excel

• Research and analytical skills

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We want our employees to care and to have a genuine passion for what we do as a business. We need people who want to make a difference in providing a vital service to our customers, now and for the long‑term.

If you have the passion to succeed that we see in our graduates every day, you’ll be a great match for our programme. We’d love you to be someone with:

• A ‘can do’ attitude – willing to get stuck in, take accountability for decisions and actions and who takes pride in their work
• A love of variety in a role and ability to adapt to a dynamic, fast‑paced working environment
• Ability to quickly prioritise tasks and the initiative to dive head‑first into problem solving.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills and enjoy working with multiple teams
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and effectively communicate this to different team members and audiences
• Curiosity to learn quickly in a reactive and dynamic working environment

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Our New Talent Team will guide you and support you every step of the way. Furthermore, your line manager, mentor and graduate buddy will be there to help you in making sure you reach your full potential here at Severn Trent.

Location: Severn Trent Headquarters, Coventry, CV1 2LZ

Programme Duration: 27 months

Starting Salary: £31,500

Entry Criteria: We are looking for individuals with a strong analytical mindset and a genuine interest in economics, econometrics and economic regulation. However, a degree in Economics is not essential and we welcome applications from a broad range of relevant academic backgrounds.

Driving Requirements: There are no driving requirements for this role.

HOW WE’LL REWARD AND CARE FOR YOU IN RETURN

It’s not just a job you’ll get here; you’ll get a career too. We have a range of benefits that reward and recognise great work and award‑winning training to ensure you reach your potential. And we’ll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the community in which we live.

Here are some of our favourites:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £2,225 which is subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year

As if that isn’t enough, you’ll receive an annual salary increase whilst you’re on programme and you’ll also get an increase when you move into your first job.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Severn Trent we are passionate about our people. We want to make sure that we continue to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and cohesive culture that represents the communities and customers we serve. We’re making sure we keep up the progress with our wonderful working groups – LGBTQ+, Women in Operations & STEM, Disability and Ethnicity, who help us with our commitments. Find out more about our commitments to Diversity and Inclusion at Severn Trent.

LET’S GO

Apply now to build an amazing career and be part of a brilliant team. We can’t wait to hear from you.

• Roles close on 13th January at Midday (12pm)
• Check your diary – face to face assessments will run from through February and March 2026
• Estimated start date- September 2026

To find out more about working with us, search #LifeatSevernTrent on social media.

In accordance with Home Office guidance successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. We have assessed this programme and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; the successful candidate must be able therefore to demonstrate right to work without Severn Trent sponsorship.