Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£52,000 per annum

About the Role
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. We have an opportunity for a Senior Associate Commercial Adviser to join our Major Projects Team.

The water sector is entering a new chapter with a bold government direction to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are collaborating with fellow regulators and governments to shape future water governance in England and Wales.

As a Senior Associate Commercial Adviser, you will contribute to delivering Ofwat’s strategic objectives across a £50bn pipeline of major water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Working alongside the Commercial Lead, you will develop and implement Ofwat’s commercial approach, including cost estimating, benchmarking, commercial strategy for procurement and tendering, contract strategy, and commercial assurance.

You will lead and supervise external suppliers delivering commercial assurance, provide commercial analysis and advice to project leads, and support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Your role will cover optioneering, business case development, procurement, tendering, contracting, construction, and commissioning, including projects delivered through competitive models such as Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC), Specified Infrastructure Projects Regulations (SIPR), and the RAPID process.

Key deliverables include developing commercial assurance frameworks and benchmarking models, applying commercial standards to drive value for customers, managing relationships with advisors and contractors, supporting the Major Projects & Markets strategy, and promoting learning and commercial capability across Ofwat and the wider water sector.

You will also support maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture, promoting work-life balance and hybrid working arrangements.

Experience
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in commercial management, estimating, quantity surveying or cost management (e.g. RICS)
- Experience working on complex infrastructure projects or programmes involving cost estimating, benchmarking, commercial assurance, and commercial strategy for procurement and delivery
- Experience applying and contributing to the development of commercial methodologies, frameworks, and evidence-based approaches to cost, schedule, benchmarking, risk, and commercial assurance across the project lifecycle
- Ability to provide credible commercial advice, constructively challenge assumptions, and translate complex information into clear, evidence-based recommendations to support project and senior decision-making
- Experience providing commercial input into procurement, tendering, and contract strategy, including risk allocation and management of commercial risk and opportunity, with understanding of their impact on cost, schedule, and value for money
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build trusted relationships and manage differing views constructively
- Collaborative approach promoting knowledge sharing, coaching, and continuous improvement

About you
- Champion and leader of change
- Builds the team
- Promotes collaboration
- Delivers outcomes
- Demonstrates attributes aligned with Ofwat's Framework for Success for the relevant salary grade

Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience as noted above
- Membership of relevant professional bodies is desirable and fees are paid for membership as part of benefits