Manager (Water - London)

Frontier Economicsis an economics consultancy that tackles the big questions facing governments businesses and society. We help our clients to analyse and understand their markets and to formulate strategies based on sound economics. The methods and models we use are often complex but our advice is always succinct clear and honest.

The company has grown rapidly since it was founded over 25 years ago and currently has around 500 staff working across nine European offices (Amsterdam Berlin Brussels Cologne Dublin London Madrid Paris and Prague). The company is employee-owned and has a strong culture of openness and employee engagement.

The Water Practice

The water sector is under increasing pressure from climate change and shifting regulatory expectations to rising investment needs. Our clients rely on deep industry expertise to navigate these challenges and ensure continued service delivery.

Economic regulation is becoming more complex covering everything from price reviews and retail benchmarking to bulk supply pricing compliance financial resilience and affordability. Effective regulation also demands alignment with long-term planning and delivery frameworks. To meet this growing need were expanding our expertise and are looking for experienced individuals to join our Water Practice.

The Role

As a senior water specialist you will need the experience capabilities and expertise to manage the work of project teams across the full range of our expertise. This will be for both private and public sector clients and often in relation to high profile industry issues such as price reviews regulatory reform enforcement actions and related litigation.

You can also expect to play a leading role in building our integrated cost benchmarking cost assessment and investment appraisal capability working across regulated network industries. This may in time also lead to opportunities for you to scope and manage projects and workstreams outside of water e.g. in energy networks.

Your project work is likely to be predominantly UK based but you may be part of project teams working for clients across Europe and some travel may be necessary. Some of our most recent work in the area includes:

• Assisting companies in responding to Ofwats draft cost assessment and outcomes decisions;

• Price review appeal decisions and ongoing support for the subsequent appeals;

• Due diligence work for potential water sector investors;

• Support for government reviews of the sector;

• Assessing the affordability impacts of company decisions.

How You Will Make an Impact

As a senior water specialist you will be responsible for the long-term sustainability and success of Frontier. As a key contact in the practice you will enjoy a wide and diverse role working with people collaboratively across the Firm. While individual contributions may evolve with their careers there is an ongoing expectation to consistently exhibit competence in five key areas:

Intellectual Leadership
You will play a key role in ensuring Frontier delivers robust high-quality analysis that positions us at the forefront of our field. This includes shaping the scope of work with clients drawing on both internal expertise and external input and ensuring outputs are credible insightful and able to withstand scrutiny.

Consulting Skills
You will lead internal teams to deliver high-quality timely and impactful advice. This involves effective project management clear communication and strong client engagement. You will also support team development staff well-being and mentoring.

Client Relationships
Youll be responsible for building and maintaining strong strategic relationships with current and prospective clients. This includes deepening your understanding of their wider needs driving business development activity and supporting the growth of the practice and firm in line with Frontiers values.

Developing Self and Others
As a role model youll help foster a culture of learning inclusion and motivation. Youll support the development of colleagues at all levels and ensure mentoring and Career Development Reviews (CDRs) are delivered with honesty fairness and integrity.

Internal Leadership
You will contribute to Frontiers long-term success by supporting internal initiatives and promoting our values. This includes strong financial stewardship active engagement in firm-wide priorities and clear communication of policies and processes as a senior leader.

Your Skills and Background

Were looking for economists who combine strong technical skills with clear communication and sound judgement. Youll have the expertise to tackle complex economic questions the confidence to influence clients and colleagues and the drive to deliver high-quality work on time. Youll also be a team player who supports and motivates others helping us deliver practical insights and real impact for our clients.

Essential skills and experience

• Expertise in Water Economics with several years of experience at an economics consultancy within a water company or at a regulator. Ideally this will be combined with wider understanding of the UK water industry including its long-term planning frameworks operations assets and future investment needs.

• Excellent communication skills that are tailored to your audience and the credibility to influence a wide range of people.

• Strong project management skills; able to motivate teams and manage multiple projects effectively.

• Commercial awareness and good judgement to identify practical value-adding solutions that are aligned with the clients willingness to pay

• Strong data skills he ability to accurately scope and then manage the delivery of high-quality work including analytical work with large data sets where appropriate using statistical tools such as R and/or Stata to generate meaningful insights.

The Benefits of Joining Our Team

At Frontier Economics we are entirely employee-owned meaning every team member has a voice in shaping the companys future. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation open dialogue and shared success. Our stimulating and thought-provoking projects are complemented by a supportive and dynamic work environment designed to help you thrive and grow. We also offer:

• Hybrid Working: Employees are expected to work in the office at least two days a week with flexibility for remote work.

• Holiday Entitlement: 28 days of annual leave plus public holidays with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days of holiday per year.

• Parental Pay: Enhanced parental pay of up to 2 months of full pay and bonus for primary carers.

• Learning & Development: Extensive L&D opportunities including Career Development Reviews with support from a dedicated Mentor.

• Private Health Insurance: Fully covered AXA health insurance with optional family coverage (partners premiums and taxes paid by the employee; children included at no extra cost). Additional cover (e.g. optical dental) can be added at the employees expense.

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Free confidential support for work-life balance health family issues or job-related challenges available for you and your immediate family members.

• Income Protection Insurance All employees are covered by Frontiers Group Income Protection Scheme for long-term illness or disability.

• Life Insurance Company-funded Group Life Assurance Scheme covering all permanent employees from their start date.

• Cross-Office Travel & Secondments Opportunities for secondments to different offices or practices to expand skills and experience

Should you have any questions or would like any additional information please email.

We are open to full time & part time applicants.

Frontier Economics is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race colour religion gender sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability status age or any other status protected by law. We are determined that everyone has an equal chance to join us and progress their career with Frontier. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all its forms. Read more about our incentiveshere.