Regulatory Strategy Specialist

Yorkshire Water; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car allowance

EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Private health care (self)

Pension scheme

Life assurance 4x pensionable salary

Wellbeing days + 2 wellness days

Health cash plan / critical illness

Cycle to work scheme

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Yorkshire Water is seeking a Regulatory Specialist for Major Projects / DPC to oversee regulatory compliance on large infrastructure schemes. You will work with Capital Delivery, Commercial and Finance to ensure submissions meet Ofwat and RAPID requirements.

Role involves shaping regulatory strategy, managing risks, and supporting governance across the project lifecycle while coordinating with stakeholders inside and outside the company. Hybrid Leeds-based role with competitive package.

Qualifications

• Proven understanding of Ofwat regulatory framework and DPC requirements.
• Experience translating regulatory requirements into business actions and investment decisions.
• Knowledge of major infrastructure projects, procurement models and contract structures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with risk assessment capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for reports, submissions and briefing materials.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
• Strategic, collaborative mindset across diverse teams and regulatory obligations.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory oversight of major infrastructure projects and ensure compliance with DPC, RAPID, licences and frameworks.
• Assist in identifying and delivering DPC-eligible schemes within business planning and price reviews.
• Provide regulatory and commercial advice on investment programmes, procurement strategies and complex arrangements.
• Governance and assurance to manage regulatory risk across the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate high-quality regulatory submissions, gateway submissions and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with Capital Delivery, Strategy, Commercial and Finance to embed regulatory needs in decisions.
• Represent Regulation in key forums and influence major infrastructure developments.
• Monitor regulatory developments and support engagement with Ofwat, RAPID and others.

Skills

Regulatory framework knowledge

Regulatory interpretation

Infrastructure & procurement awareness

Analytical/problem-solving

Written/verbal communication

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Strategic/collaborative mindset

Education

Degree in Economics/Engineering/Finance/Law/Public Policy

Job description

Regulatory Specialist – Major Projects / DPC

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience up to £65,000 (band 3b)
• A company car allowance (£500 per month/£6,000 per year, based on full-time employment on joining the company). You can opt to sign up to the EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme 6 months after joining the company.
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 15% of annual salary).
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days!
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: Leeds Valley Park - Hybrid Working (averaging 2-3 days in the office a week)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Regulation team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

The Regulatory Specialist – Major Projects / DPC plays a critical role in supporting Yorkshire Water’s major infrastructure investment programme. Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) is a competitive delivery route for major infrastructure projects, where a third party is appointed to design, build, finance and potentially operate assets on behalf of the water company. Yorkshire Water is delivering several major capital projects through the DPC route, and the role focuses on ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements set out by Ofwat and RAPID.

Working closely with Capital Delivery, Commercial, Finance and Strategy teams, the role provides regulatory oversight, challenge and assurance to ensure projects are developed, procured and delivered in line with regulatory expectations while maximising value for customers and managing commercial and regulatory risk.

Where you fit in:

As our Regulatory Specialist you will

• Lead regulatory oversight of major infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with Ofwat Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) requirements, RAPID guidance, licence obligations and regulatory frameworks.
• Support the identification, assessment and delivery of DPC-eligible schemes as part of business planning, strategic reviews and price review submissions.
• Provide expert regulatory and commercial advice on major investment programmes, procurement strategies, bulk supply agreements and complex commercial arrangements.
• Manage regulatory risks associated with major projects, ensuring robust governance, compliance and assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate and support high-quality regulatory submissions, including DPC gateway submissions, business cases, consultation responses and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Build strong relationships across Capital Delivery, Strategy, Commercial and Finance teams to ensure regulatory requirements embedded in decision-making and investment planning.
• Represent the Regulation team on key business forums and working groups, influencing the development and delivery of major infrastructure programmes.
• Contribute to Yorkshire Water’s regulatory strategy by monitoring industry developments, shaping policy positions and supporting engagement with Ofwat, RAPID and wider industry stakeholders.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Strong knowledge of Ofwat’s regulatory framework, including Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC), Price Reviews, business planning and regulatory accounting.
• Experience interpreting complex regulatory requirements and translating them into practical business actions and investment decisions.
• Good understanding of major infrastructure projects, procurement models, commercial arrangements and contract structures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks, evaluate options and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports, submissions and briefing materials.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leaders, regulators and cross-functional teams.
• Strong organisational skills, capable of managing multiple complex workstreams and competing deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strategic and collaborative mindset, with the ability to work across diverse teams, challenge constructively, and ensure compliance with regulatory obligations while maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

You will also benefit from having:

• Experience working on major capital programmes, DPC schemes or within a regulated infrastructure environment, ideally within the water sector.
• Proven experience preparing or supporting regulatory submissions, business plans, investment cases or gated approval processes.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline such as Economics, Engineering, Law, Finance, Public Policy or a related subject.
• Strong understanding of best practice in major project delivery, regulatory frameworks and infrastructure investment across regulated sectors.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.