At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on commercial and regulatory matters, negotiate contracts, and support procurement activities.
- Company: Join Pennon Group, a leader in water and renewables, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible working, healthcare benefits, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse culture that celebrates individuality and offers growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative team while shaping your legal career.
- Qualifications: UK qualified solicitor with 7 years' PQE and strong commercial contracting experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
At Pennon Group, we're proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, we're leading the way in water and renewables. Our goals include lowering our carbon footprint, planting 300,000 trees, restoring peatlands, and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
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, including power purchase agreements, private wire agreements, and 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.
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. We are proud to hold Investors in People accreditation.
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. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
In-House Legal Counsel in Exeter employer: Pennon Group
At Pennon Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just a utilities company; we are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. As part of one of the largest in-house legal teams in the South West, you will have the opportunity to engage with high-profile projects while benefiting from a culture that values individual growth and offers extensive career development opportunities. With competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a strong focus on employee well-being, joining Pennon means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and the environment.
