Associate Director - Regulatory Economist (Water)

Job description

The Team

KPMG’s Infrastructure Group in the UK consists of c.400 professionals and is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading independent financial and business advisers in infrastructure.

We provide in-depth advice on the strategic, financial, regulatory and commercial issues driving investments in infrastructure across Transport, Power & Utilities, and Social Infrastructure in the UK and internationally. Our work includes market and policy design, economic analysis, deal structuring and execution, as well as strategic and transaction advice to enable private and public capital to fund infrastructure. We also work closely with other functions within KPMG to advise clients on mergers and acquisitions, valuations, tax, accounting, and due diligence.

The utilities sector is a key business area for the Infrastructure Group and encompasses work for the large clients in the sector including all of the leading UK energy and water companies. We provide in depth strategic and technical advice on corporate finance issues, corporate financial management; regulatory finance, regulatory policy, business and financial planning, as well as other issues affecting value. We are widely recognised by many industry stakeholders as one of the most innovative advisors influencing the future of the sector.

Our business is expanding rapidly and we are looking for a high-quality candidate to support our Power & Utilities business, with a particular focus on the water sector.

The Role
 

• You would be joining the leading provider of strategic economic consultancy services in the water sector.
• While you will have specific responsibilities for contributing towards the team’s water business, there will also be opportunities to work in other sectors, primarily energy networks.
• Working closely with sector and subject matter experts you will develop to become the ‘go to’ person for water sector economic advice. This will involve developing an in-depth understanding of Ofwat’s regulatory framework.
• You will build relationships with key clients across the sector, as well as with other advisors (e.g., legal and engineering. The projects that you will advise on will be high profile and caried. For example, in recent years we have advised on the regulatory framework for the Thames Tideway Tunnel, every aspect of water companies' business plans, bulk supply trading negotiations, Competition and Markets Authority re-determinations, major transactions, organisational transformations, and much more. If there is a large strategic project taking place in the sector, the chances are we will be advising on it. 
• There is no ‘typical project’. You will need to apply a structured strategic approach to problem solving, drawing on established economic principles, while having the capacity to think creatively.  
• The work will include a combination of report drafting, economic analysis, and engaging with clients. 
• You will need to be comfortable managing, coaching, and mentoring junior staff across a number of projects. 
• You will contribute towards building the team, identifying opportunities in the market, and providing thought leadership. 

The Person

• We are looking for someone who is passionate to develop the team and be seen as a leader within the sector. 
• You will have experience in the utilities sector, in the industry, at a regulator, or as a consultant ideally with water sector experience.
• You will have knowledge either of the regulatory frameworks for utility companies, micro-economics, or finance (ideally all three).
• You will be comfortable and/or experienced in presenting to clients.
• Be a highly motivated, ambitious self-starter, willing to take advantages of the opportunities this position offers.
• You will bring excellent report writing, Excel and PowerPoint skills—strong writing and quantitative skills are a must.

A final word from us…

Everybody likes to say they’re different... but we really think we are.

We’re hugely proud of what we’ve managed to achieve so far, but we’re only just getting started. We’re looking for people to grow with us and are committed to helping everybody reach their destination, regardless of what that is.   

Should you choose to join us, you can expect an attractive benefits package, which typically includes:

Financial

• A competitive salary
• Pension options
• Bonus scheme that reflects firm and individual performance
• Rail and Oyster Card reimbursement
• Staff discounts
• Access to preferential banking

Lifestyle

• 25 days holiday, with the option to buy up to an extra 10 days, plus an additional day of leave for your birthday
• Competitive maternity and paternity leave
• 6 days of work time each year for volunteering
• Daily lunch allowance
• Flextra – a flexible benefits scheme that allows you to choose benefits for you and your family, such as, travel insurance, critical illness insurance, dental insurance and discounted gym memberships

Health and Wellbeing

• Private medical insurance
• Personal accident insurance
• Life assurance of 4 x salary with the option to increase this via flexible benefits scheme
• Access to private, remote GP appointments anytime and anywhere via a smartphone
• Online health risk questionnaire
• BeWell employee assistance programme for confidential information, advice, or counselling for life’s daily challenges
• Group Income Protection

No matter what skills you bring to our team, you’ll be surrounded by spirited, naturally curious people. People who want to learn from you, and who’ll also teach you a thing or two along the way. It’s how we make a collective impact, greater than the sum of its parts.

And if this isn’t the role for you but you like what you see, keep in touch. There will be other opportunities to join us.

For more details about a career at KPMG, visit: www.kpmgcareers.co.uk