In-House Legal Counsel in Devon, Plymouth

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we're leading the way in water and renewables.

We're proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you're starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career. Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Location: Exeter / Bristol (Hybrid)

Salary: £80,000 - £90,000 per annum plus excellent benefits (salary depending on experience)

Shape the future of essential services. At Pennon, we're more than a utilities company, we're custodians of essential infrastructure that supports everyday life. As part of one of the largest in-house legal teams in the South West, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting our commercial operations and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape across water and energy.

We're now looking for an experienced In-House Counsel to join our collaborative and forward-thinking legal team.

The Role: You will be a trusted advisor across Pennon Group plc, supporting a wide range of commercial and regulatory activities. You'll partner closely with colleagues across procurement, infrastructure, and regulatory functions, ensuring legal risk is managed while enabling the business to make confident, commercially sound decisions. This is a varied and high-impact role where no two days are the same.

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)

Why Pennon? Be part of one of the largest in-house legal teams in Devon. Work in a close-knit, collaborative team alongside experienced legal professionals. Exposure to high-profile, business-critical projects. Opportunities to develop new skills and expand your legal expertise. A culture that celebrates individuality and growth, guided by our values.

What's in it for You: At Pennon, we recognise that our people are key to our success. We are committed to supporting your development and offering long-term career progression opportunities. As one of the South West's leading organisations, we are proud to hold Investors in People accreditation.

Ready to make a difference? Join us as our Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory and help create a workplace where people thrive. We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory you'll enjoy:

• 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 programs
• 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.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

• Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
• Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
• Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.