Head of Economic Regulation Policy – Lower Thames Crossing

Department for Transport

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Requirements of the role

Do you have experience shaping or operating within economic regulatory frameworks perhaps in utilities, transport, or another regulated sector?

Have you worked with key legislative or statutory frameworks that underpin economic regulation?

Are you confident navigating the financial structures behind regulated utilities?

If so, we'd love to hear from you

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the regulatory and financing framework for one of the UK's largest and most high-profile infrastructure projects. You'll lead on the economic regulation of the Lower Thames Crossing, helping to unlock private investment in critical national infrastructure. This unique role sits at the intersection of policy, legislation, and delivery, offering real impact on government growth priorities and the future of infrastructure funding.

DfT is a high-profile department at the heart of UK government. We work with agencies and partners to support the transport network that helps businesses and gets people and goods travelling around the country. We plan and invest to make journeys better.

Joining Our Department Comes With Many Benefits, Including

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below

Find out more about what it's like working at DfTc.

Job Description
The Roads and Projects Infrastructure Delivery directorate (RAPID) is part of the Roads Transport Group (RTG) in DfT and oversees National Highways delivery of the Road Investment Strategy. The strategy includes large road improvement projects, renewals and maintenance and operational performance. The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is the largest improvement project in the enhancements portfolio and is key to the Government's growth agenda. It is intended that it will be undertaken through a Regulated Asset Base structure – a private sector entity will build and finance the Crossing with charges levied on users being subject to economic regulation.

This is a high-profile and stretching role that involves the development of the economic regulation structure for the Project. This includes leading on key policy decisions related to that structure, the development of detailed regulatory mechanisms, and developing/ implementing the required legislation. This is a unique project with a direct link to the Prime Minister's missions agenda, creating the regulatory landscape that enables the investment of private finance to support delivery critical national infrastructure.

Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren't Limited To

• Lead development of the economic regulation and legislation relating to Lower Thames Crossing ensuring alignment with the wider LTC programme and DfT policy. This includes, for example:

• Development of the duties and powers for the regulator.

• Drafting of the licence for the new regulated entity, including its obligations and restrictions on its operations.

• Development of regulatory guidance papers.

• In these areas, you will be working closely with the National Highways team and specialist advisers to progress the current proposals towards a finalised structure.

• Coordinate and manage the relationship with the proposed regulator, balancing collaboration and constructive challenge to support development of the regulatory structure.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile
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Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

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Location

London

Contract type

Full time, Permanent

Profession

Economic, Head of, Policy, Regulation

Working pattern

Flexible working, Hybrid

Closing Date

29/10/2025