Assistant Commercial Solicitor

Southern Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking an Assistant Commercial Solicitor to deliver high-quality legal services. This role involves contract management, advising on procurement law, and requires a qualified lawyer with proven commercial legal experience. Join us for a dynamic career that supports growth and sustainability.

Benefits

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan

Full funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Occupational health service

Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

Digital GP service

Study support for job-related qualifications

Competitive maternity leave and flexible return options

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Ideally, 5 years relevant post–qualification experience.
• Good knowledge of commercial and contract law.
• Good knowledge of public procurement law and practice is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality commercial legal services.
• Drafting and negotiating various forms of commercial contracts.
• Advising on public procurement law as it affects water utilities.

Skills

Commercial and contract law

Legal research techniques

Contract drafting and interpretation

Public procurement law

Good legal judgement

IT skills

Education

Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Commercial Solicitor

Location: Durrington, West Sussex (hybrid 2–3 days p/w)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: competitive

There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint!

Job Overview

To provide high quality commercial legal services to Southern Water to enable delivery of various capital, operational and infrastructure programmes, particularly those matters relating to AMP8 (and future AMPs) and company turnaround projects, through:

• Supporting the senior Commercial Solicitors (across both the procurement/ commercial contracts areas and competition & regulated contracts/ business & retailer services areas) on various value and complexity projects, advising on technically challenging and highly specialist projects; working with, advising and supporting project teams and operational functions.
• Advising on the legal ramifications and structuring of a wide range of contracting and outsourcing arrangements and diverse commercial projects, transactions and contracts.
• Drafting, negotiation and settling various forms of commercial contracts.
• Advising on public procurement law as it affects water utilities and practical procurement issues, including acting as guardian of relevant legal policies and providing standardised procurement and commercial legal agreements.
• Being able to review and assess commercial legal issues in supplier contracts and terms of business.
• Undertaking commercial transactional work and procurements, contract management, grants, and strategic commercial advice to business departments.

About You

• Good knowledge of commercial and contract law and legal research techniques, contract drafting and interpretation.
• Good knowledge of public procurement law and practice desirable.
• Has good legal judgement and appreciates legal risk.
• Good legal training, with evidence of some commercial legal experience.
• Previous in–house experience not necessary but would be welcome.
• Good IT skills, including electronic document production and assembly skills.
• Self–starter with ability to work as part of a team and to work proactively across and with a number of other functions.
• Relationship builder with drive to engage directly.
• Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive) with, ideally, 5 years relevant post–qualification experience.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Durrington office and home. We are offering a competitive salary, depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job–related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Join our Legal team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.