Head of Gas Distribution Costs

Purpose 

• Providing cost analysis to inform Ofgem’s future regulatory design decision-making. This includes working through how to apply cost assessment techniques in our regulation of the gas networks, and how to leverage these cost assessment techniques beyond network price control setting or in other network sectors.

• Implementing cost modelling and assessment tools by managing, and analysing, companies’ business plans.

• Effective leadership of a team of analysts and economists to deliver high-quality cost assessment. Including planning and ensuring that deliverables are on time and to a high standard through effective project management and support of team members.

• Driving continuous improvement in our technical and analytical capabilities for cost modelling and assessment within the organisation.

• Support shaping Ofgem’s ongoing development and implementation of cost modelling and assessment tools and techniques for longer term network price control setting.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead on the cost modelling approach for the next gas distribution price control (RIIO-3), including identifying and developing effective solutions to identify and justify suitable benchmarks across all companies and networks, address significant regulatory and/or commercial issues and potential challenges.

• Provide visible and effective leadership to a team of analysts, leading the project management in the team and representing Ofgem at relevant industry events, seminars and working groups.

• Provide oral and written briefings to Networks’ and Ofgem’s boards and committees on key issues, working closely with policy, regulatory finance and legal colleagues.

• Liaise with network companies on a regular basis to help refine and develop our approach.

• Provide clear and transparent work objectives, milestones and success metrics in your area of expertise to oversee and co-ordinate successful team outcomes.

• Collaborate closely with other teams to manage interdependencies, risks and resourcing to support portfolio delivery.

• Demonstrate effective diversity and inclusive team management within their team and the wider organisation.

• Where required, be jointly responsible with staff managers on welfare and pastoral care of team colleagues.

Key Outputs and Deliverables  

Deliver the cost assessment toolkit for gas distribution network companies and apply it to formulate robust recommendations on the level of efficient costs for the sector

• Develops and tests a robust cost assessment toolkit for gas distribution network companies – working with external stakeholders.

• Effectively leads a team to conduct cost assessment of Gas network companies’ business plan.

• Leads production, and present, documents including board papers, consultations and briefings related to cost assessment.

• Collaborates closely with wider RIIO Team Managers to manage interdependencies, risks and resourcing to support portfolio delivery.

• Supports corporate objective to develop inclusive team resourcing and staff onboarding.

Support the development of a high-performing team based on effective resource management, ongoing support and professional development

• Provides expert guidance to help team members deliver, by building supportive, inclusive team environment based on trust-based relationships, transparency and inclusivity.

• Takes ownership for own continued expert development and other team members’ professional development relating to the role by:

• Identifying your own continued professional development.

• Providing ongoing coaching and identification of development opportunities.

• Provide advice and support for colleagues who are pursuing professional qualifications.