At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal advice on major infrastructure projects and negotiate property agreements.
- Company: Join National Grid, a leader in energy infrastructure with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, electric car options, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant projects while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with at least 5 years of property law experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Warwick or Strand, London – hybrid working, three days per week in office, remainder flexible.
About the role
National Grid is seeking a qualified solicitor or barrister with solid property‑law experience, ideally from complex infrastructure projects. The role provides strategic, practical and business‑focused legal advice across major NGET infrastructure projects, ensuring land rights, access and possession arrangements are in place to support safe and timely delivery.
Responsibilities include negotiating property agreements, accelerating voluntary land agreements, and, where necessary, implementing compulsory acquisition powers law‑fully and cost‑effectively. The position works closely with UK Legal, project teams, consents, lands, surveyors, engineers, construction planners, finance colleagues and external counsel.
What you’ll do
- Deliver property legal advice on complex infrastructure projects and compulsory purchase advice across live construction programmes.
- Develop land acquisition strategies prioritising voluntary agreement while meeting programme milestones.
- Advise on land access for surveys, temporary rights and land assembly.
- Oversee panel firms in drafting, negotiating and completing voluntary agreements, easements, leases, licences, temporary possession arrangements and compensation deeds.
- Coordinate with engineers and construction planners to align legal steps with site mobilisation and energisation dates.
- Negotiate with stakeholders including the Crown Estate, network operators, utilities, landowners and occupiers.
- Support risk management, lessons learned, templates, guidance and training to improve consistency and efficiency across the portfolio.
- Manage external legal advisers to deliver high‑quality advice in line with business strategy, budget and value for money.
- Mentor and support the development of others within the legal and wider project delivery teams.
About you
- Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant property‑law experience.
- At least 5 years PQE (all levels considered if skills meet requirements).
- Experience delivering high‑volume or high‑value land transactions at pace, including in politically or publicly scrutinised environments.
- Preferably with infrastructure‑scheme experience on major utilities, highways, rail, or similar nationally significant projects.
- Understanding of compulsory purchase powers, compensation code, statutory notices, possession, land entry and title issues.
- Experience advising multi‑disciplinary teams (project managers, planners, surveyors, engineers, finance).
- Strong stakeholder‑management skills, able to negotiate confidently with landowners, local authorities, statutory undertakers, government departments and community representatives.
- Commercial acumen, budget discipline and aptitude for continuous process improvement.
- Clear communication skills and ability to provide leadership in legal or project strategy discussions.
- DCO experience helpful; limited exposure to compulsory acquisition acceptable with training provided.
Benefits
- A competitive base salary, dependent on experience.
- Bonus up to 40% of base, based on company and personal performance.
- Full electric company car or cash alternative.
- Competitive contributory pension scheme with company match up to 12%.
- Flexible benefits including share incentive, salary‑sacrifice technology scheme, employee assistance line and matched charity giving.
- Support for career development during your time at National Grid.
Equal Opportunities
We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace. Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified candidates, assessed purely on merit and against objective selection criteria. The company supports flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process for any physical or mental impairment.
Eligibility and Sponsorship
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without sponsorship at the time of application. National Grid may consider sponsorship in exceptional circumstances where specialist skills cannot be sourced locally, but sponsorship is not assured.
Property Lawyer with Infrastructure Project Experience employer: National Grid plc
National Grid is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in either Warwick or London with a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a robust pension scheme, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development within a diverse and inclusive culture. The role of Property Lawyer not only allows you to engage in impactful infrastructure projects but also fosters collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career path.
