Principal Legal Adviser

OFWAT; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A water regulation authority in England is seeking a Principal Legal Adviser to support its Major Projects team. The role involves providing high-quality legal advice, developing robust commercial arrangements, and influencing stakeholders. Candidates should be qualified legal professionals with experience in the water sector or regulated environments. This position offers hybrid work, development opportunities, and attractive benefits including annual leave and pension contributions.

Benefits

Good employer pension contributions

25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30

Access to exclusive discounts

Recognition vouchers scheme

Generous shared parental leave

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales.
• 3+ years' experience in a legal environment supporting major projects.
• Experience working in complex organizations within the water sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal advice to the Major Projects team.
• Develop robust commercial arrangements for major projects.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic policies.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Experience in the water sector

Influencing and negotiating skills

Job description

Join Ofwat’s Office of the Chief Executive Directorate as a Principal Legal Adviser in our Legal Team.

We have 2 permanent role available but they are also open to loans and secondments of up to 2 years.

Office Location: London (E14 4HD) orBirmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working*

About Us

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non‑ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.

The Role

We are seeking qualified commercial or projects lawyers to work with the LegalDirect or: Major Projects in supporting the Major Projects team as it develops the competitive commercial models for delivering this pipeline of major projects. We expect you to use your legal expertise and judgement to help develop and test commercial operating models, facilitating the scrutiny of delivery plans, and helping to resolve emerging issues, thereby building confidence in the deliverability of the pipeline of projects, with government, investors and the delivery market. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the sustainability and resilience of our water resources.

Key deliverables

In these roles you will be expected to:

• Provide high quality, timely and solutions-focused legal advice – in particular to the Major Projects team.
• Work with the Major Projects team in developing and delivering strategically focused policy which is legally robust.
• Advise on the development of robust commercial arrangements required for the delivery of major project.
• Be an adaptable thinker and incorporate wider considerations into your work, helping to identify and manage organisational risks and opportunities.
• Demonstrate good judgement to create clarity and build trust through effective communication and collaboration.
• Proactively share skills and knowledge, and support others in doing this. Support Ofwat’s external relationships with law firms and legal counsel, other regulators and government and water companies.

About You

Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:

1. Lead Criterion 1: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England and Wales or at least 3 years’ experience acting in a role akin to that of a qualified Solicitor or Barrister in a legal environment, ideally providing commercial and/or project finance legal support to major projects delivery.

2. Lead Criterion 2: Experience of working in a complex organisation within the water sector and/or another regulated sector (utilities preferable) in the specific areas of regulatory, environmental, major projects, administrative law or competition law.

3. Experience of delivering solutions-focused legal advice on the development and implementation of policy objectives and/or the implementation of strategic government projects and programmes.

4. Ability to, and experience of successfully influencing and/or negotiating with internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues, government departments, external lawyers, counterparties, and partner organisations.

Why You Should Join Us:

• People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
• Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
• Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham offices.
• Good employer pension contributions
• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
• Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
• Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
• Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
• Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
• Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.

Follow the link to Apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your Applications in full before the below deadline

Closing date: 23.55 on 25 January 2026