Regulatory Lawyer

South East Water UK; Snodland; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension scheme

Holiday entitlement 5 weeks + bank

Flexible annual leave buy/sell

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Regulatory Lawyer to shape compliance and strategy within the water sector. You will advise across functions, protect the business from regulatory risk, and promote a culture of governance and compliance.

You will work with the Regulation Team, Company Secretary and Finance to draft charging documents, annual narratives, and regulated contracts while keeping up-to-date with Ofwat guidance and market rules.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with regulatory/governance experience.
• Experience advising on policy, licensing, and regulatory reporting in a regulated sector.
• Ability to draft and advise on complex charging and contract documents.
• Strong governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on regulatory obligations and policy, licensing, competition law, and market codes.
• Draft and maintain charging documents and tariff schemes in line with regulatory requirements.
• Advise on regulatory reporting and APR, including board statements.
• Draft regulated contracts and terms under wholesale/retail codes.
• Develop regulatory expertise and inform colleagues of regulatory developments.
• Monitor compliance processes and advise on improvements.
• Contribute to responses to regulator consultations and government proposals.
• Support change programmes for regulatory compliance and responses to enforcement actions.

Skills

Regulatory law

Policy interpretation

Legal drafting

Communication

Stakeholder management

Project management

Leadership

Integrity & confidentiality

Risk assessment

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Summary:

Are you a sharp, commercially-minded Regulatory Lawyer looking to shape compliance and strategy within a vital infrastructure sector?

Do you have the legal expertise and proactive mindset needed to navigate complex water industry frameworks, from Ofwat guidance to wholesale market rules?

If so, this high-impact role places you at the very heart of our business. Reporting directly to the Head of Strategy and Economic Regulation, you will serve as a trusted advisor across key functions—protecting the business from regulatory risk while championing a strong culture of compliance.

Main responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice and support to business functions in relation to regulatory obligations and policy, including (i) compliance with water industry legislation, licence conditions, competition law, wholesale market codes, charging rules, (ii) regulatory reporting and (iii) the management of regulatory and compliance risks.

• Working with the Regulation Team and the Developer Services Team, draft the company’s charging documents (indicative charges, wholesale tariff document, wholesale charges document, new connection charging arrangements, infrastructure charges and miscellaneous services charges scheme, household charges scheme, board assurance statements) in accordance with charging rules and keep them up to date to reflect changes in regulatory requirements and advise on the development of new tariffs.

• Working closely with the Company Secretary and the Finance Team, advise on compliance with reporting requirements and contribute to the drafting of annual regulatory narrative reporting (APR including relevant board statements).

• Draft or provide advice on regulated contracts (e.g. bulk supplies, self-lay agreements), standard terms and conditions (e.g. under the wholesale retail code) and related documents.

• Develop detailed legal knowledge of and expertise in the regulatory framework in which the company operates and work proactively with colleagues to keep them informed of developments and promote awareness of and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Monitor the effectiveness of the company’s processes for compliance with regulatory obligations and regulatory reporting requirements and identify the needs for regulatory support within the business, having regard to developments in regulatory policy and the priorities of Ofwat, other regulators or government. Carry out reviews of processes for compliance with regulatory obligations and regulatory reporting requirements and provide advice on improvements.

• Contribute to the formulation of the company’s position in response to consultations or proposals from regulators or government for changes to the company’s regulatory framework (including amendments to licence conditions, or new rules or guidance).

• Advise on and contribute to change programmes relating to regulatory compliance where required by reforms of the water sector.

• Advise on and contribute to the company’s response to any regulatory enforcement actions and the implementation and compliance with commitments agreed with regulators.

You’ll need: Skills / Qualifications / Experience

• A relevant law degree or equivalent legal qualification or equivalent demonstrable level of experience.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.

• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks with competing priorities.

• Strong organisational and project management skills.

• Proven leadership abilities and the ability to work effectively with senior executives and Board members.

• Integrity, professionalism, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement in governance practices.

• The ability to work in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrable experience of providing legal advice and identifying and mitigating legal, regulatory and compliance risks in a regulated environment in the water sector (or another regulated industry).

Employees are required to be flexible and to be prepared to perform duties and other tasks within their capabilities. The nature of our business is such that the contents of any job profile are subject to change from time to time.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.

• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.

• Paid volunteering days.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Health cash plan.

• Life assurance.

• Wellbeing related benefits.

• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.

• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

Compensation package:

From £70,000 p.a. dependent on experience