Environmental Lawyer

Pennon Group; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary & Benefits Package

Annual Bonus Scheme

Pension Scheme

Hybrid Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Discounts

Annual Leave Allowance

Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme

Career Development Opportunities

Job summary

Pennon Group is seeking an in-house Environmental Lawyer to join the Legal team, advising on environmental and regulatory issues across the UK water sector and helping shape strategy, risk management and compliance.

Reporting to the Environmental Legal Manager, you will work with senior stakeholders to deliver practical, commercially aware legal solutions and manage external counsel when needed.

Qualifications

• Qualified as solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Experience in environmental or regulatory law.
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex matters.
• Ability to manage external counsel and regulatory projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on environmental compliance and regulation across the business.
• Advise on environmental permitting, licensing and statutory consents.
• Support regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, including prosecutions.
• Advise on Enforcement Undertakings and regulatory engagement strategies.
• Provide legal support on water resources, abstraction and drought planning.
• Collaborate with operational teams to deliver practical legal solutions.
• Advise on access to environmental information and EIR compliance.
• Support investigations and risk management activities.

Skills

Environment law expertise

Regulatory compliance

Effective communication

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory risk management

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/ Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

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 supporting 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?

In-House Environmental Lawyer

Location: Exeter or Bristol with hybrid working

Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits package

Contract: Permanent, full time

Be Part of Protecting and Enhancing Our Environment

At Pennon, we're committed to delivering essential water and wastewater services while protecting the environment and supporting the communities we serve. We're looking for an experienced In-House Environmental Lawyer to join our Legal team and play a key role in advising on some of the most significant environmental and regulatory issues facing the UK water sector.

Reporting to the Environmental Legal Manager, you'll work closely with senior stakeholders across the Group, helping to shape legal strategy, manage regulatory risk and support the delivery of Pennon's environmental, operational and business objectives.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of environmental law within a highly regulated industry, influencing major projects, compliance initiatives, enforcement matters and environmental litigation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide expert legal advice on environmental compliance and regulation across the business.
• Advise on environmental permitting, licensing and statutory consents.
• Support the business on regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, including environmental prosecutions.
• Advise on Enforcement Undertakings and regulatory engagement strategies.
• Provide legal support on water resources, abstraction, drought planning, drought permits and drought orders.
• Work closely with operational, engineering, environmental and regulatory teams to deliver practical and commercially focused legal solutions.
• Advise on access to environmental information and compliance with the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
• Support environmental investigations and risk management activities.
• Manage and oversee external legal counsel where required.
• Deliver training, guidance and mentoring to colleagues on environmental legal matters and regulatory developments.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes, ensuring the business remains informed and compliant.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a legal professional who combines strong technical expertise with commercial awareness and a collaborative approach.

You'll Bring

• Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Demonstrable experience in environmental law, regulatory law or a closely related field.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal matters into clear, practical advice.
• The ability to communicate legal risks and opportunities in a way that supports effective business decision-making.
• Sound judgement and the ability to balance legal risk, regulatory expectations and operational priorities.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Experience managing complex legal issues in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience working with environmental regulators such as the Environment Agency.
• Experience within utilities, infrastructure, environmental services or another regulated industry.
• Familiarity with environmental litigation and regulatory enforcement processes.

Why Join Pennon?

At Pennon, you'll have the opportunity to work on challenging and high-profile environmental matters that directly impact the sustainability of the UK's water infrastructure. You'll join a collaborative team where your expertise will help shape important environmental outcomes while supporting business success.

In return, we offer a competitive reward package, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, career development opportunities and the chance to make a genuine difference.

Our Benefits

• Attractive Salary & Benefits Package
• Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
• Hybrid Working – A blend of office and home working, supporting flexibility while maintaining collaboration with your team
• Employee Assistance Programme – Supporting your wellbeing
• Employee Discounts – Access to discounts on a range of products and services
• Annual Leave Allowance – Giving you time to rest and recharge
• Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme – Flexibility to purchase additional holiday or sell unused leave to suit your lifestyle
• Career Development Opportunities – Supporting your ongoing growth and development

Closing Date: 20th October 2026

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 everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.