About the job

Job summary

We’re Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority – a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales

We regulate the water sector in England and Wales. Our role is to help the sector build trust and confidence with customers, the environment and wider society: keeping water flowing, bills affordable and helping ensure the health of our rivers and waterways.  We push hard to improve day-to-day water company performance for customers, including on leakage, sewer flooding and customer service. We drive the sector to take a longer-term view and to take steps now to protect and enhance the environment, using digital and data innovations and making sure our water supplies are secure for future generations.  

You can find out more about Ofwat, our Values and our Framework for Success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack. 

The Communications Team

Ofwat's communications team plays a crucial part in the delivery of our strategy, working across the business to encourage effective engagement and communication amongst our own people and with external audiences.  The team has approximately 16 members and is responsible for:

• Managing Ofwat's external reputation
• Our external engagement with a range of stakeholders
• Internal Engagement
• Ownership of our communications channels
• Listening to customers across England and Wales, generating insight through customer research

Job description

We have an exciting opening for a Head of Media Relations to join our communications team. You will oversee and drive Ofwat’s media relations, leading a small team of corporate communications professionals. You will have the opportunity to develop and execute brilliant campaigns and programmes of work. With your expert knowledge, you will provide considered, sound advice on media handling to protect and strengthen Ofwat’s reputation. You will work within a dynamic communications environment where stories move at rapid pace, and you will play a key part of Ofwat’s crisis communications response.

Key Objectives

In this role you will be expected to:

• Oversee and lead Ofwat’s media relations, identifying and delivering impactful media engagement and building relationships with key journalists and outlets.
• Provide advice and support to Ofwat’s senior leaders, including Chair and CEO.
• Support Ofwat's CEO and Chair with positioning advice and preparation for speeches.
• Build constructive, collaborative relationships with colleagues across Ofwat. Use varied approaches to work in partnership with others; respecting different priorities.
• Bring a creative, innovative approach; with fresh thinking and ideas to help address new and existing challenges.
• Design and implement media and engagement plans that maximise our impact and influence.
• Lead a small team and maintain a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion, underpinned by our SAILOR values.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge 

1. Extensive experience managing media relations for high profile organisations within a dynamic environment.
2. Experience of building effective relationships with external contacts and confidently briefing media at all levels to ensure accurate and informed reporting.
3. Previous experience working with senior leaders and the ability to create clarity and influence stakeholders.
4. Experience of developing and delivering proactive communications strategies that enhance the reputation of an organisation, as part of an integrated communications function.
5. Experience of delivering communications in a policy-led organisation.
6. Knowledge and sound understanding of digital, broadcast and print media, and an ability to quickly spot issues that will be of media interest.
7. Ability to rapidly brief on complex issues, presenting in a clear and concise manner and identifying key messages, using recognised insight and evaluation techniques to shape communications and provide measurable results.
8. The ability to confidently build, lead, inspire and empower teams.
9. Highly developed written and oral communications skills, with the ability to use different communication styles depending on the audience.

Attributes

Attributes as per Ofwat’s Framework for Success for Director Role. You can read more about attributes here.

• You build trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• You deliver great outcomes.
• You promote collaboration and cross party working.
• You are a champion and leader of change.

Benefits

Why you should Join Ofwat:

We are forward-thinking, creative, innovative and ambitious. We actively encourage autonomy, collaboration and innovation and we have a unique culture fostered by trust, flexibility and respect.

We strive to ensure our people feel connected and valued, where their voice matters. You will be provided with the space and support to shape your future while taking greater control of your own growth and development.

You will also benefit from:

• A generous Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 27.9% for this role (you can expect from £15.353 to £19,530);
• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 with each year of service) plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave;
• Access to exclusive discounts on a range of goods and services such as retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance and gym membership;
• Flexible working arrangements that suit your lifestyle;
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies;
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year;
• Generous shared parental leave and pay;
• Recognition voucher scheme;
• Cycle-to-work scheme;
• Season ticket loan for travel between home and office;
• Regular professional development opportunities;
• Health and well-being initiatives;
• Enhanced sick pay;
• Free eye tests and contribution to lenses/spectacles for VDU users.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to apply

Ellwood Atfield is acting as an employment agency advisor to Ofwat on this appointment. You should apply for this role via the Ellwood Atfield website here and you will be contacted by one of their consultants. If you would like to have an initial discussion about the opportunity please contact Olivia Grant (olivia.g@ellwoodatfield.com).

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BAME background for this opportunity.

Candidates should apply with a CV and personal statement.

Your personal statement should be 2 pages long (A4) and should clearly outline how you meet the essential experience, skills, knowledge required for the role.

Please ensure you have submitted your application in full ahead of the deadline listed below. Unfortunately, we won't be able to consider late applications.

Selection Timetable

Closing date	12.00 noon on 16th January 2024
Longlisting Meeting	19th January 2024
Interviews with Ellwood Atfield	22nd to 25th January 2024
Shortlisting Meeting	26th January 2024
Ofwat Interview Stage 1	2nd, 6th, and 9th February 2024 via MS Teams
Ofwat Interview Stage 2	12th, 14th and 15th February 2024

Please read the attached Candidate Pack for further details on the Selection Process.

If you have any queries about any aspect of this role, selection process, or you require any reasonable adjustments please contact Olivia Grant on olivia.g@ellwoodatfield.com.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.