Regulations & Operations Lawyer

Heathrow Airport; Hatton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international airport in the UK seeks a Regulations & Operations Lawyer to provide legal expertise across various law areas, including competition and regulatory law. The position involves negotiating contracts and compliance training, with a focus on operational and regulatory activities. The role supports hybrid work, offering competitive salaries and performance bonuses.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Performance-based bonuses

Generous annual leave

Market-leading pensions

Private health insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive background in competition and regulatory law required.
• Experience in major City law firm and/or FTSE 100 company preferred.
• Ability to balance competing demands from multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, review and draft contracts and regulatory documents.
• Advise on competition law risks and mitigations.
• Provide compliance training for legal obligations.

Skills

Strong written communication

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Education

Law degree, 2:1 honours

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

Job description

Overview

Job Category: Legal and Compliance

The Regulations & Operations Lawyer will provide professional legal expertise to the business in respect of both airport operations and regulation, with scope including competition law. The role is broad and requires the ability to advise on a wide range of areas of law (including but not limited to criminal matters such as trespass, assault, criminal damage, and byelaw enforcement; employment and defamation). In addition to operational and regulatory matters, the role covers legal advice in respect of commercial contracts, procurement, litigation/disputes, judicial review, aviation law, environmental law and security law issues. There must be a willingness to learn if those areas are unfamiliar. The role holder will ensure that advice supports compliance with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements and that the business remains fully legally compliant.

Responsibilities

• Negotiating, reviewing and drafting contracts, policies, regulatory documents and other arrangements relating to regulatory and operational activities at the Airport
• Advising on competition law and regulatory risks and mitigations arising from the business's proposals
• Assisting on investigations and prosecutions by regulatory authorities
• Providing targeted and timely compliance training to the business in relation to all relevant legal obligations
• Producing easy-to-use guidance for the business to facilitate ongoing compliance with all relevant legal obligations
• Proactively identifying risks and opportunities in regulatory/operational agreements and finding ways to mitigate or remove risks
• Ensuring appropriate reporting to the Executive team and senior lawyers

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with a law degree, or equivalent, at a minimum of 2:1 honours
• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales
• A very strong and demonstrable background in competition and regulatory law
• Experience gained in a major City law firm and/or FTSE 100 company in the UK; previous in-house or client secondment experience is helpful but not essential
• Strong written, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing demands from multiple stakeholders

Working with Heathrow

There's something special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Heathrow offers a wide range of career opportunities, with a focus on sustainability and growth. We provide competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses, generous annual leave, market-leading pensions, private health insurance, wellbeing tools and learning and development opportunities. The role supports a hybrid working approach, with some roles able to work from home for an average of two days a week; specific arrangements will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You'll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. We champion inclusivity and have diversity networks to support our people.

About the Team

Heathrow operates within regulatory and statutory frameworks, balancing risk and opportunity across a dynamic aviation environment. Our Legal & Business Assurance function comprises professionals committed to high standards and responsible practice. You'll join a close-knit, driven team handling varied projects that contribute to Heathrow's ongoing success.