Utility Tariff Specialist in Dublin

About the Role

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. The CRU’s Networks and Economic Regulation Division is responsible for the economic regulation of water, gas, and electricity networks. Utility Tariff Specialists are subject matter experts, providing authoritative technical and policy advice, analysis, and expertise to inform CRU decisions. The CRU is seeking candidates for Utility Tariff Specialist roles in the Networks and Economic Regulation Division to perform work on policy, economic, technical, and regulatory activities of the CRU.

The successful candidates will be part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in a varied role working to tight deadlines in a dynamic environment. The role involves providing expert analysis, modelling, and advice on network tariff structure reform, design, and associated impacts in the context of an evolving policy environment, changing use of our regulated utility networks, and legal and regulatory objectives.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Proactively leading assigned network tariff specialist work areas, applying subject matter expertise to policy, regulatory, market, technological, and legal developments relevant to the CRU.
• Identifying emerging opportunities, risks, and recommendations, drawing on research, analysis, consumer insights, and stakeholder perspectives to inform regulatory decision-making.
• Developing and maintaining network tariff and customer impact models, including to assess network tariff structure reform options and their impacts on tariffs faced by network users and revenue recovery by regulated entities.
• Identifying data, assumptions, scenarios, and other inputs required to model network tariff structure reform options and designs.
• Identifying and assessing the impacts of cost drivers on network tariffs and implications for network tariff structure reform and design.
• Providing reasoned recommendations and advice regarding network tariff structure reform and design options and related matters, including based on modelling outputs, quantitative assessments, economic theory, and best practice.
• Drafting data and/or analysis requests for issue to regulated network entities to support network tariff modelling, design, reform, and associated assessment of impacts arising.
• Critically evaluating submissions from regulated network utilities and other CRU stakeholders regarding network tariffs, tariff structure/design, and reform and related matters.
• Implementing best practices to ensure utility network tariff and customer impact models and associated inputs and assumptions are robustly prepared and transparently documented.
• Drafting user manuals and operating procedures regarding network tariff and customer impact models.
• Preparing, reviewing, and presenting consultation, information, and decision papers to your Manager, Director, the Commission, and the wider Senior Leadership Team, ensuring technical robustness, consistency, and high-quality policy input.
• Leading complex CRU projects, public consultations, regulatory policy development, the analysis of stakeholder feedback, and associated stakeholder engagement.
• Providing authoritative specialist advice and support to the Commission, Senior Leadership Team, line Manager, and wider organisation on relevant regulatory issues.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships across the CRU to support effective cross-divisional working.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with industry participants, government bodies, consumer representatives, and other stakeholders to support informed regulatory outcomes.
• Participating in and reporting on taskforces, working groups, and committees, providing specialist expertise and recommendations.
• Mentoring and managing, as appropriate, colleagues, facilitating knowledge transfer, and promoting best practice across relevant specialist areas.
• Acting as technical lead in the management of external consultants, including developing tender specifications, evaluating submissions, and project/contract management.
• Carrying out such other functions as may be required from time to time to fulfil the business objectives of the CRU and as appropriate to the grade.

Requirements

Essential Requirements:

• An honours degree (NFQ Level 8 equivalent) in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to economics, finance, law, engineering, mathematics, statistics, public policy, etc.).
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience working (or consulting) in the energy, utility, or other regulatory sectors.
• Experience and comprehensive understanding of utility network tariff design and reform, and of associated model design and operation.

Desirable Requirements:

• A postgraduate qualification (i.e., Master's or PhD) in a relevant discipline (including but not limited to economics, finance, law, engineering, mathematics, statistics, public policy, etc.).
• Experience of one or more of the following areas is desirable:

• A high level of proficiency in Excel,
• A high level of financial numeracy and excellent analytics skills both quantitative and qualitative,
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills,
• Experience of drafting documentation to communicate complex issues/information in a clear and concise manner,
• Experience and understanding of the regulated energy sector in Ireland,
• Developing and/or implementing policy in the energy, utility, or other regulatory sectors; economic regulation, including the development of regulatory frameworks such as electricity and/or gas network charging arrangements, to improve consumer outcomes and protection,
• Working within an energy regulator, utility company, consultancy, government body, or other as relevant to the role,
• Engaging with a broad range of stakeholders,
• Working in a fast-paced environment.

Details

Location: The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Hybrid working: Up to 3 days per week remote working available

Closing Date: 12.00 noon, 19.10.2026

Tenure: Appointment will be on a permanent basis, subject to successful completion of the probationary period.

Salary: €74,031 (Salary scale: €74,031 - €107,795)