Location: Durrington, West Sussex - Hybrid Working

Contract: 2 year fixed-term contract

Hours: 37 hours, Monday–Friday

Salary: £34,000 per year + relocation package (T&Cs apply) and benefits

Turn data and economic thinking into decisions that make a difference.

The water industry is changing, bringing new challenges and opportunities for our customers, communities and the environment.

Our Economics & Regulation Graduate Development Programme gives you the opportunity to understand how economic analysis, regulation and data influence the decisions we make as an essential service provider.

You'll use what you've learnt through your degree in a real-world setting, developing your analytical skills while gaining experience across different areas of the business.

And you won't be doing it alone. You'll learn alongside experienced colleagues who will support you as you build your knowledge, confidence and career.

Your programme

Across the programme, you'll have the opportunity to build experience across areas including:

• Economics

• Charging

• Regulatory Reporting

• A six-month placement within a technical area

This will give you the opportunity to understand economics and regulation from different perspectives, while seeing how decisions affect our customers and the wider business.

What to expect

Your work could involve:

• Applying economic thinking to support business decisions and strategy

• Using data to investigate trends, costs and other business challenges

• Supporting regulatory submissions to Ofwat

• Carrying out statistical and econometric analysis to understand cost drivers

• Helping ensure regulatory information and data are accurate and high quality

• Supporting work around charging and competitive markets

• Turning complex information into clear insights for different audiences

• Working with colleagues from different areas of the business to understand and solve problems.

You'll receive:

• Meaningful responsibility, supported by experienced colleagues

• Structured learning and development throughout the programme

• Mentoring and support from professionals working across economics and regulation

• Opportunities to develop your technical and analytical skills

• Experience across different teams and areas of the business

• A supportive graduate community and opportunities to build your professional network

Working with data and technology

You don't need to know every analytical tool before you join us.

We'll be interested in the analytical skills you've developed through your studies and your ability to apply them to new problems.

You'll be working with tools such as Microsoft Excel, with opportunities to further develop your analytical and technical capability throughout the programme.

What’s in it for you

• Relocation support available, so distance doesn’t have to be a barrier to starting your career with us.

• Health and wellbeing support, including access to a health cash plan and employee assistance programme.

• Flexible working options, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.

• 28 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.

• Two paid volunteering days each year, giving you the opportunity to make a positive impact in your local community.

• Employee discounts and benefits platform, helping your money go further.

Who we're looking for

We’re looking for graduates who enjoy working with data, exploring problems and using evidence to understand what’s really happening. You’ll be curious, willing to learn and comfortable working with numbers, while being able to communicate your ideas clearly to others. You don’t need to arrive knowing everything about the water industry or economic regulation. What matters is your interest in applying your knowledge to real-world challenges and developing your skills as you build your career.

You'll need:

- A predicted or achieved 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Mathematics, Business, Finance, or a related field

- Confidence working with data and numbers

- An interest in using analysis to support decision-making

- To meet any degree or technical requirements for your chosen pathway

- The right to work in the UK

Where this programme can take you

The programme is designed to help you build a strong foundation for a career in economics, regulation and analysis.

You'll develop experience in applying economic thinking to real business challenges while building skills in data analysis, stakeholder engagement and communicating complex information clearly.

Future opportunities could include roles within areas such as:

• Economics

• Economic regulation

• Regulatory reporting

• Charging and pricing

• Data and analysis

• Strategy

What happens next?

• Applications are scheduled to close on 4 January 2027. We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we encourage you to apply early.

• After submitting your application, you'll be invited to complete an online skills assessment and online interview as the next stage of the recruitment process.

• Successful candidates will then be invited to an online assessment centre in February 2027.

• The programme will start in September 2027.

Interested in more than one graduate opportunity?
You don't need to submit multiple applications. As part of the recruitment process, we'll give you the opportunity to tell us about other graduate roles or pathways you're interested in. Apply for the opportunity that best matches your interests and experience, and you'll have the chance to share your other preferences with us during the process.

What our graduates say

“You get out what you put in - it’s a great place to grow.”

“It’s a career in a stable, essential industry.”

“You’re working with people who genuinely want to make a positive difference.”

“There’s a strong sense of community, trust and empowerment.”

Ready to get started?

If you enjoy working with data, exploring complex questions and using evidence to solve real-world challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your curiosity. Build your knowledge. Help shape the future of water through economics and regulation.

Apply now to join our Regulatory Economist Graduate Development Programme and start turning what you've learned into meaningful real-world impact.

Everybody Welcome

We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Need flexibility in your work?

Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure you meet all the requirements? Or are you concerned that standard working arrangements may not work with your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. We encourage you to speak to us about what might work.