Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory
Join our legal team to support commercial and regulatory activities across Pennon Group plc. This is a varied and high‑impact role where no two days are the same. You will be a trusted advisor across the Group, partnering closely with procurement, infrastructure, and regulatory teams to manage legal risk and enable sound commercial decisions.
Location: Exeter / Bristol (Hybrid)
Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 per annum plus excellent benefits (salary depending on experience)
The Role
You will play a pivotal role in supporting our commercial operations and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape across water and energy.
Key Responsibilities
- Advise on a broad range of commercial and regulatory matters across the Group
- Lead on the negotiation, drafting, and management of complex contracts, including high‑value and strategically critical agreements
- Support capital delivery programmes, supplier relationships, and procurement activities
- Provide guidance on framework agreements, master service agreements, and bespoke contracts
- Advise on specialist agreements (experience‑dependent), including:
- Power purchase agreements
- Private wire agreements
- Construction contracts (particularly NEC)
- Deliver pragmatic solutions to commercial challenges and help resolve disputes before escalation
- Provide regulatory advice, ensuring compliance with industry frameworks
- Support regulated procurement processes and queries
- Contribute to contract standardisation and smarter procurement strategies
- Deliver training to business stakeholders on legal and commercial topics
- Advise on corporate governance matters
- Support and mentor junior team members and trainees
About You
You’re a commercially astute legal professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys tackling complex challenges.
Essential Skills & Experience
- UK qualified solicitor with 7+ years’ PQE
- Strong experience in commercial contracting and regulatory advice
- Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, business‑friendly guidance
- A proactive problem‑solver and strategic thinker
- Comfortable working across a diverse and evolving workload
- A supportive team player who enjoys mentoring others
Desirable
- Experience working in a regulated industry (e.g. utilities, energy, infrastructure)
What’s In It For You
- Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills
- Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance
- Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
- Flexible Working Options – We value work‑life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible
- Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programmes
- Employee Discounts – On various products and services
- Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement
Closing Date: 15th July 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
