Principal Consultant - Asset Management & Regulatory Advice - Water Sector

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.’s Regulatory Advice team seeks a Principal Consultant to lead high-impact regulatory engagements in water and energy sectors. You will provide strategic, economic and governance advice on regulatory frameworks, price controls and performance commitments.

You will guide senior stakeholders, mentor colleagues, and support business growth through proposals and thought leadership across UK clients, with hybrid working and clear career progression.

Qualifications

• Senior regulatory experience in water/energy sectors.
• Experience with price review/revenue-setting processes.
• Familiar with assurance standards and internal control frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of regulation policy and strategy.
• Knowledge of cost modelling, benchmarking or business case appraisal.
• Track record of winning work and developing accounts.
• Excellent written communication for regulator/board audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management and senior-level credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement delivery and quality assurance on regulatory projects.
• Mentor junior team members and support business growth.
• Support Directors with programme development and outputs.
• Drive client relationships across the UK and externally.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Price Review experience

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Analytical capabilities

Regulation policy knowledge

Job description

Our Regulatory Advice team, part of the Stantec Advisory Services Group, has a significant track record of successful delivery of impactful outcomes across the Water, Energy and Infrastructure sectors. Our local and globally connected teams work with our clients to help them drive performance and realise financial and social value from their assets. We do this by applying systems-thinking within a collaborative working environment with our clients’ teams and stakeholders. This approach is used to unlock insights into the performance of all their assets, leading to informed and timely decisions that deliver value and promote sustainable outcomes.

As part of our team’s overall growth, we are looking to recruit a Principal Consultant. This role can be based in a number of locations, including London, Reading, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Bristol offices, to name a few, with hybrid working allowing for a great work-life balance.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Consultant within Regulatory Advice, you will lead the delivery of high-impact regulatory advisory engagements for clients operating in regulated sectors. You will provide strategic, economic, and governance advice on regulatory frameworks, price controls, compliance obligations, incentives, and performance commitments.

YOUR IMPACT

You will be accountable for engagement leadership, quality assurance, stakeholder management, and guiding, mentoring and development of less experienced team members, while also contributing to business growth through thought leadership and proposal development. You will support our Client Service and Technical Directors with the development, and delivery of programmes, projects and technical outputs.

In return you will have the opportunity to progress your career, acquire new skills and professional qualifications and to work with numerous clients located across the UK.

ABOUT YOU

• You will have experience of working in a senior regulatory role primarily within the regulated water/energy sectors and have a track record of generating solutions to complex industry problems
• Experience of Price Review/revenue-setting processes (e.g., AMP cycles, multi-year determinations).
• Familiarity with assurance standards and approaches (three lines of defence, internal controls, ISAE 3000, audit and evidence packs).
• You will be able to demonstrate strong knowledge of regulation policy and strategy
• Knowledge of cost modelling, benchmarking, or business case appraisal.
• Track record of winning work (proposal writing, account development, networking).
• Excellent written communication: ability to craft compelling, evidence-led arguments suitable for regulator/board audiences.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with credibility at senior levels.
• Proven project leadership: planning, resourcing, risk management, and delivery to deadlines.
• High analytical capability: interpreting financial/performance data, assessing trade-offs, and forming recommendations.
• You will have a track record of developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and be able to share your experience by developing and mentoring talented individuals within our organisation.

Why join us?

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

#ukwater

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] we will talk to you about how we can support you.

ReqID: 9244

Other Locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Warrington, Brighton

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