Utility Tariff Specialist

OASIS Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Ireland is seeking two Utility Tariff Specialists to shape network tariff design and reform. You will apply economic modelling, policy analysis and stakeholder engagement to inform regulatory decisions in a dynamic energy and water market.

The role offers hybrid working up to three days remote, a permanent appointment, and opportunities for professional development within the Networks and Economic Regulation Division.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a relevant discipline required.
• Minimum 5 years' relevant work experience in energy/utility/regulatory sectors.
• Experience and understanding of utility network tariff design and reform.

Responsibilities

• Proactively lead assigned network tariff specialist work areas with policy and regulatory developments.
• Develop and maintain network tariff and customer impact models.
• Draft data requests and evaluate submissions from regulated utilities and stakeholders.
• Prepare consultation, information and decision papers for senior leadership.
• Lead complex CRU projects, public consultations and regulatory policy development.

Skills

Excel

Analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory know-how

Verbal & written communication

Education

Honours degree (NFQ Level 8)

Postgraduate qualification (Masters/PhD)

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) isIreland's independent energy and water regulator. CRU employees play an important part in delivering safe and secure supplies of energy and water, protecting and empowering customers and the deployment of renewable and low-carbon solutions across Ireland. Since 1999, CRU has played a vital role in Irish society, impacting homes and businesses nationwide by ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for all customers.

Description

We are currently seeking Utility Tariff Specialists with a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience working (or consulting) in the energy, utility or other regulatory sectors & experience and comprehensive understanding of utility network tariff design and reform, and of associated model design and operation.

The Position

Job Title: Utility Tariff Specialist (Multiple Roles)

Location: The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Hybrid working: Up to 3 days per week remote working available

Closing Date: 12.00 noon, 19.10.2026

Tenure: Appointment will be on a permanent basis, subject to successful completion of the probationary period.

About the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. The work of the CRU impacts every Irish home and business, ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for the benefit of all customers.

Our Values are at the core of everything that we do.

1. Integrity: Trust is vital, so we act with integrity at all times and take balanced, evidence-based decisions that are fair and consistent.

2. Professionalism: We are professional in everything we do. We work as a team and always strive to develop our expertise. We are pragmatic and open to alternative processes.

3. Openness: We are committed to co-operation. We clearly explain who we are and what we do. Our processes are open, thorough and consider views from all stakeholders. We explain our decisions in clear language.

4. Accountability: We are accountable for our decisions and for the way we spend our resources. We are independent and open to scrutiny

Find out more about the CRU at: https://www.cru.ie

The Role of Utility Tariff Specialist

The CRU’s Networks and Economic Regulation Division is responsible for the economic regulation of water, gas and electricity networks.

The Division is responsible for:

• regulating the activities of licensed electricity and gas distribution and transmission operators and asset owners,
• approval of Uisce Éireann’s Water Charges Plan which reflects the CRU approved allowed revenue, connection charging policy and the approved tariff regime,
• setting allowed revenues and annual tariffs within appropriate incentive frameworks to ensure that investment in networks is efficient and delivers the best outcome for customers, and
• network tariff structures and their review and reform, including the current process to review the structure of electricity network use of system tariffs.

Utility Tariff Specialists are subject matter experts, providing authoritative technical and policy advice, analysis and expertise to inform CRU decisions. The CRU is now seeking candidates for Utility Tariff Specialist roles in the Networks and Economic Regulation Division to perform work on policy, economic, technical and regulatory activities of the CRU.

The CRU is seeking candidates to fill Utility Tariff Specialist roles in the following areas:

• Provides expert analysis, modelling and advice on utility network tariff structure reform, design and associated tariff impacts in the context of an evolving policy environment, changing use of our regulated utility networks, and legal and regulatory objectives.

As a Utility Tariff Specialist, you will be required to apply your technical expertise and professional experience to further the CRU’s strategic objectives. The CRU will provide you with ongoing support and training and there will be ample opportunity for professional development, allowing you to maximise your potential in shaping and implementing complex regulatory policy.

Reporting to a relevant line Manager, the successful candidates will be part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in a varied role working to tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.

You will provide expert analysis, modelling and advice on network tariff structure reform, design and associated impacts in the context of an evolving policy environment, changing use of our regulated utility networks, and legal and regulatory objectives. You will assess and recommend reforms to network tariff structures based on quantitative and qualitative analysis, economic theory and best practice. You will design and implement monitoring frameworks that provide necessary insight into the impact of utility network tariff reforms. Further details regarding the duties and responsibilities of a Utility Tariff Specialist are set out below.

The CRU intends to hire two (2) Utility Tariff Specialists as part of this competition. In addition to filling these posts, a panel of suitable candidates may be established to fill similar roles within the organisation in the future.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CRU is inviting applications for these permanent positions, from qualified, experienced individuals with a range of experience in the relevant sector.

Reporting to the relevant line Manager, as appropriate to the assigned area, the Utility Tariff Specialist will be responsible for:

• Proactively leading assigned network tariff specialist work areas, applying subject matter expertise to policy, regulatory, market, technological and legal developments relevant to the CRU.
• Identifying emerging opportunities, risks and recommendations, drawing on research, analysis, consumer insights and stakeholder perspectives to inform regulatory decision-making.
• Developing and maintaining network tariff and customer impact models, including to assess network tariff structure reform options and their impacts on tariffs faced by network users and revenue recovery by regulated entities.
• Identifying data, assumptions, scenarios and other inputs required to model network tariff structure reform options and designs.
• Identifying and assessing the impacts of cost drivers on network tariffs and implications for network tariff structure reform and design.
• Providing reasoned recommendations and advice regarding network tariff structure reform and design options and related matters, including based on modelling outputs, quantitative assessments, economic theory and best practice.
• Drafting data and/or analysis requests for issue to regulated network entities to support network tariff modelling, design, reform and associated assessment of impacts arising.
• Critically evaluating submissions from regulated network utilities and other CRU stakeholders regarding network tariffs, tariff structure/design and reform and related matters.
• Implementing best practices to ensure utility network tariff and customer impact models and associated inputs and assumptions are robustly prepared and transparently documented.
• Drafting user manuals and operating procedures regarding network tariff and customer impact models.
• Preparing, reviewing and presenting consultation, information and decision papers to your Manager, Director, the Commission and the wider Senior Leadership Team, ensuring technical robustness, consistency and high-quality policy input.
• Leading complex CRU projects, public consultations, regulatory policy development, the analysis of stakeholder feedback and associated stakeholder engagement.
• Providing authoritative specialist advice and support to the Commission, Senior Leadership Team, line Manager and wider organisation on relevant regulatory issues.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships across the CRU to support effective cross divisional working.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with industry participants, government bodies, consumer representatives and other stakeholders to support informed regulatory outcomes.
• Participating in and reporting on taskforces, working groups and committees, providing specialist expertise and recommendations.
• Mentoring and managing, as appropriate, colleagues, facilitating knowledge transfer and promoting best practice across relevant specialist areas.
• Acting as technical lead in the management of external consultants, including developing tender specifications, evaluating submissions and project/contract management.
• Carrying out such other functions as may be required from time to time to fulfil the business objectives of the CRU and as appropriate to the grade.

While the successful candidate will be assigned to a particular team within the CRU, the role of the Utility Tariff Specialist is to contribute to the work of the wider Division/CRU in relation to their specialism. In this regard, the Utility Tariff Specialist can expect to apply their specialism and deliver outputs for a number of teams and divisions across the CRU.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates must have on or before the closing date for applications, the following:

1. An honours degree (NFQ Level 8 equivalent) in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to economics, finance, law, engineering, mathematics, statistics, public policy, etc.);

2. Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience working (or consulting) in the energy, utility or other regulatory sectors;

3. Experience and comprehensive understanding of utility network tariff design and reform, and of associated model design and operation.

1. A postgraduate qualification (i.e., Master's or PhD) in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to economics, finance, law, engineering, mathematics, statistics, public policy, etc.);

2. As appropriate to the Utility Tariff Specialist area, experience of one or more of the following areas is desirable:

• A high level of proficiency in Excel,
• A high level of financial numeracy and excellent analytics skills both quantitative and qualitative,
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills,
• Experience of drafting documentation to communicate complex issues/information in a clear and concise manner,
• Experience and understanding of the regulated energy sector in Ireland,
• Developing and/or implementing policy in the energy, utility or other regulatory sectors; economic regulation, including the development of regulatory frameworks such as electricity and/or gas network charging arrangements, to improve consumer outcomes and protection,
• Working within an energy regulator, utility company, consultancy, government body or other as relevant to the role,
• Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders,
• Working in a fast‑paced environment.

The Package

• Starting salary of €74,031
• Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale.