Principal Legal Adviser

Recruitment and Onboarding Administrator

Join Ofwat’s Office of the Chief Executive Directorate as a Principal Legal Adviser in our Legal Team.

We have 2 permanent roles available and they are also open to loans and secondments of up to 2 years.

Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working.

About Us

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non‑ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction—one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Ofwat.

The Role

We are seeking qualified commercial or projects lawyers to work with the Legal Director: Major Projects. In this role you will support the Major Projects team in developing competitive commercial models for delivering a pipeline of major projects. You will use your legal expertise and judgement to help develop and test commercial operating models, facilitate the scrutiny of delivery plans, and help resolve emerging issues, thereby building confidence in the deliverability of the pipeline of projects with government, investors and the delivery market.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, timely and solutions‑focused legal advice, particularly to the Major Projects team.
• Work with the Major Projects team in developing and delivering strategically focused policy that is legally robust.
• Advise on the development of robust commercial arrangements required for the delivery of major projects.
• Be an adaptable thinker and incorporate wider considerations into your work, helping to identify and manage organisational risks and opportunities.
• Demonstrate good judgement to create clarity and build trust through effective communication and collaboration.
• Proactively share skills and knowledge, and support others in doing the same.
• Support Ofwat’s external relationships with law firms, other regulators, government agencies, and water companies.

About You

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales or at least 3 years’ experience in a role equivalent to that of a qualified Solicitor or Barrister, preferably providing commercial and/or project finance legal support to major project delivery.
• Experience working in a complex organisation within the water sector or another regulated sector (utilities preferable) in the specific areas of regulatory, environmental, major projects, administrative law or competition law.
• Experience delivering solutions‑focused legal advice on the development and implementation of policy objectives and/or strategic government projects and programmes.
• Ability and experience of successfully influencing and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues, government departments, external lawyers, counterparties and partner organisations.

Why You Should Join Us

• People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do. You’ll be given the autonomy and support to do your role in the best way.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working, and have a culture built on trust, flexibility and collaboration.
• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
• Work‑Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in‑person collaboration in our Birmingham offices.
• Good employer pension contributions.
• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance and a gym membership.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.

Closing date

23.55 on 25 January 2026

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Legal

Job function

Legal Services and Administrative and Support Services