Commercial Lawyer in London

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a salary from £45,000 - £55,000 per annum dependant on experience.

• Structured development opportunities in line with the Commercial Lawyer progression plan
• Annual performance related bonus
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus two wellness days!
• A great benefits package choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Where I’d work: Leeds Valley Park with a hybrid working arrangement in place, a mix of office and home working.

Work type: This is a fixed term role for 12 months, you will be working full time. You will be expected to work 37 hours per week within a working window of 8:00am-6:00pm Monday to Friday.

What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

Where you fit in: In this role, you will manage a portfolio of commercial contracts/advice files of varying complexity and value and will ensure that colleagues’ requests for advice are dealt with in a timely and accurate manner. You will undertake matters on behalf of the business within your field of knowledge and experience either independently or delegated to you by other members of the team. You will be supervised as appropriate by the Senior Commercial Solicitor. The successful candidate will provide competent, commercial legal advice, guiding colleagues through legal issues, becoming a credible, trusted and respected voice. Ensuring that all of our duties, functions and activities are conducted within a sound commercial and legal framework.

You will undertake legal work primarily of a commercial/contractual nature. However, the work of the commercial team is very broad and other areas which are relevant to the role include:

• Commercial Contracts (drafting, negotiating, advising)
• Regulated procurement (Procurement Act 2023 as it applies to utilities)
• Commercial disputes
• Construction law
• Competition Law
• Infrastructure Projects
• Data protection
• TUPE
• IT
• IP
• Health & Safety
• Regulatory law

You do not have to be an expert in all areas and there is the opportunity to specialise within the team to a degree, depending on your skills and interests. We are looking for an ambitious, forward-thinking individual who is willing to continually develop and try new things, with an emphasis on embracing new areas of Law.

What skills & qualifications you will need: The successful candidate will have appropriate legal qualifications (a law degree or a graduate diploma in law (GDL)). It would be advantageous if you are qualified as a lawyer entitled to practise in England (either as a Chartered Legal Executive or Solicitor). Ideally, you will have relevant commercial legal experience from either private or in-house legal practice. You will have experience in at least one of the following areas of law: commercial contracts, construction, public procurement, competition law, data protection, and/or projects/PFI. You will be able to work both independently and collaboratively, building up effective working relationships with your key stakeholders. You will be highly organised, able to manage your own caseload. You will be able to learn quickly and to act autonomously, within a supportive environment. You will have the enthusiasm and willingness to challenge both yourself and your colleagues. As our colleagues are based throughout Yorkshire, a full, valid UK driving licence is required for this role.

If you’re an experienced lawyer/legal professional and want to help us deliver exceptional service for our customers whilst protecting the environment, then apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer for you. Please upload an up-to-date copy of your CV along with a cover statement outlining your relevant experience for the role.

Recruitment Process: Closing Date: 11th September, 2026. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. No agencies please.