Chief Executive Officer

The Utility Regulator is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This appointment is a fixed term of either five or seven years with potential for a further term. The role is full time and based in Belfast.

This is an exceptional opportunity to protect the short and long-term interests of 1.8 million consumers and shape the development of three of Northern Ireland’s most important utility sectors. 

As CEO you will be leading the UK’s only cross-utility regulator. You will lead an organisation that regulates electricity, gas and water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland worth billions of pounds.

Working closely with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in the Republic of Ireland, you will ensure that electricity consumers across the island continue to benefit from a secure supply and a competitive market through the cross border Single Electricity Market.

You will be joining us at a time of unprecedented strategic change and opportunity. In energy, the transition to a low carbon future is critical and you will lead on our contribution to the development of the Department for the Economy’s new Energy Strategy and the Department for Infrastructure’s long term Water Strategy. Over the next three years we will be making a practical difference by making decisions on billions of pounds of energy and water expenditure in Northern Ireland in our network price control reviews.

A key part of being our CEO will be making an impact with, and influencing, a myriad of stakeholders across government, industry and non-governmental organisations in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain.

We are also looking to the future and you will lead us on delivering our ambitious Corporate Strategy 2019-2024 which places the consumer at the centre of our work. In doing so, you will lead our team on embracing the challenge set out in the strategy and support their continued professional development.

Essential Criteria

1. Experience of successfully leading an organisation at a senior level including the delivery of quality award principles such as Investors in People (IiP) with the ability to demonstrate a commitment to and the application of values that align to those of the Utility Regulator.
2. A proven track record of achieving significant outcomes for consumers, taxpayers and/or other stakeholders when operating at a senior level in government/regulation/industry/third sector consultancy.
3. An ability to demonstrate successful past performance of exercising balanced and pragmatic judgement; and prioritising and delegating tasks within an environment which has multiple active work streams affecting a wide range of stakeholders.
4. A sound understanding of the key economic, technical and political factors influencing the development of Northern Ireland’s utility industries, including the key drivers of price and quality in the short and long-term.
5. Proven significant experience of engaging effectively with government, political representatives and/or the legislature to further the achievement of significant organisational outcomes.
6. Proven personal authority, integrity and credibility necessary to represent organisations such as the Utility Regulator at the most senior level and in public.
7. A proven track record of personal responsibility for managing a budget of over one million pounds.

The interview process is expected to be conducted between 6 - 31 July 2020. However, this will be subject to Northern Ireland Executive guidance on COVID-19 restrictions.

A full application pack can be downloaded below.

The Utility Regulator is an Equal Opportunities Employer.