At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Ofwat's Legal Team as a Principal Legal Advisor, focusing on regulatory and environmental law.
- Company: Ofwat regulates the water sector in England and Wales, ensuring fair pricing and accountability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, generous leave, and exclusive discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on water resilience while working in an innovative and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with 3+ years of relevant legal experience in regulated sectors.
- Other info: Work from home or in our Birmingham/London offices; enjoy a fantastic pension contribution.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join Ofwat’s Legal Team as a Principal Legal Advisor
* Office Location: Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD)
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. Our work has genuine significance – no other organisation does the work we do. It’s unique and meaningful: keeping our water flowing; ensuring water bills don’t cost a penny more than needed; holding water companies to account. Come and work at the source of everyday life.
The Role
We are looking for a Principal Legal Adviser to join our growing Legal Team which is part of the Office of the Chief Executive Directorate. We're involved at the heart of Ofwat's work, particularly at this critical time for the water sector. We work with all Directorates, embedded in the policy teams' work, to help evolve and deliver Ofwat's strategy, whilst navigating and managing legal risk.
Your role will have a particular focus on the work of our innovative partnership (RAPID – Regulator’s Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development) with the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. RAPID's work is vital to meeting current and future customers' needs, and the team has a direct impact on ensuring companies are delivering for customers.
But you will also have the opportunity to get involved in other work areas within Ofwat as the business needs arise, particularly in related work areas such as our wider work on major infrastructure projects, environment policy and strategic water resources and wastewater planning.
To find more details about the role and deliverables please click Apply.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales or at least 3 years’ experience acting in a role akin to that of a qualified Solicitor or Barrister in a legal environment.
- Experience of working in a complex organisation within the water sector and/or another regulated sector (utilities preferable) in the specific areas of regulatory, environmental, major projects, administrative law or competition law.
- Experience of delivering solutions-focussed legal advice on the development and implementation of policy objectives and/or the implementation of strategic government projects and programmes.
- Ability to, and experience of successfully influencing and/or negotiating with internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues, government departments, external lawyers, counterparties, and partner organisations.
- Experience of successfully applying analytical skills in a complex legislative structure within an innovative policy environment.
- Ability to, and experience of effective and efficient planning, including prioritisation and delegation
Why You Should Join Us: –
- Meaningful Impact: You will be joining a team with a sense of mission at its core aiming to build a lasting legacy for future generations by securing our long-term water resilience.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build 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 London or Birmingham offices.
- Fantastic employer pension contribution of nearly 30%.
- 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.
- Recognition vouchers scheme r ewarding your hard work.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Follow the link to Apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your Applications in full before the below deadline.
Closing date : 23.55 on 16 March 2025
Principal Legal Advisor employer: Ofwat
Contact Detail:
Ofwat Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Legal Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Ofwat's current projects and initiatives, especially the RAPID partnership. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the water sector or regulatory bodies. Engaging with current employees or attending industry events can provide insights into Ofwat's culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or navigated complex legal environments. Tailoring your experiences to align with Ofwat's mission will showcase your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on recent developments in environmental law and water regulation. Being knowledgeable about current trends will not only impress your interviewers but also show your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Legal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Principal Legal Advisor position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially those related to regulatory and environmental law.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in legal advisory roles, particularly in regulated sectors like water or utilities. Emphasize your qualifications as a Solicitor or Barrister and any specific projects that align with Ofwat's mission.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also demonstrates your passion for the water sector and your understanding of Ofwat's unique role. Mention how your experience can contribute to their innovative partnership work.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, reflecting the high standards expected in a legal environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofwat
✨Understand Ofwat's Mission
Familiarize yourself with Ofwat's role in regulating the water sector and its impact on customers. Be prepared to discuss how your legal expertise can contribute to their mission of ensuring water resilience and accountability.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight your experience in regulatory, environmental, or administrative law, especially within the water sector or similar regulated industries. Provide specific examples of how you've delivered solutions-focused legal advice in complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare to discuss instances where you've successfully influenced or negotiated with various stakeholders. Emphasize your ability to collaborate with internal teams and external partners to achieve common goals.
✨Exhibit Analytical and Planning Abilities
Be ready to showcase your analytical skills and how you've applied them in navigating complex legislative frameworks. Discuss your approach to effective planning, prioritization, and delegation in previous roles.