Senior Legal Counsel Compliance

Civil Works Alliance; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major infrastructure project group in the UK is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) to provide strategic legal support for the Sizewell C nuclear power project. The ideal candidate will have significant compliance experience, especially in the energy or construction sectors. Responsibilities include overseeing compliance with UK laws, managing disputes, and advising on complex regulatory matters. This is a full-time position ideally suited for a qualified UK solicitor with robust stakeholder engagement skills and a minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Qualified UK solicitor with significant experience in compliance and regulatory matters.
• A minimum of 4 years’ post‑qualification experience.
• Strong track record of embedding compliance frameworks into large project environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on contractual and compliance matters.
• Develop processes to ensure compliance with relevant UK laws.
• Advise on risk mitigation and manage disputes.

Skills

Compliance and regulatory experience

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Qualified UK solicitor

Job description

Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) role at Civil Works Alliance

Be part of this ‘once in a generation’ project that will deliver clean energy to 6 million homes for the next 60 years. Sizewell C will see the creation of a 3.2‑Gigawatt nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast to provide reliable low‑carbon electricity.

The Civil Works Alliance is an extended delivery enterprise involving Sizewell C and three international construction companies: Balfour Beatty, Bouygues Travaux Publics and Laing O’Rourke. We are more than just an alliance; we are bringing together a single delivery organisation with years of learning and experience from other major complex infrastructure programmes worldwide.

We are recruiting for a Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) to join the CWA as we deliver Sizewell C—a power station set to generate low‑carbon electricity for around six million homes and help secure the UK’s clean energy future for at least the next 60 years. This is a high‑profile opportunity to provide strategic legal support on all aspects of compliance, contractual, and regulatory matters across every phase of one of the UK’s most significant civil works programmes.

The Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) will provide strategic legal support, guidance, and management to the CWA on legal and contractual compliance and regulatory matters throughout all phases of the civil works programme. This role requires experience in compliance and regulatory matters, ideally in high‑value energy/infrastructure projects, and familiarity with U.K. laws and regulations. The Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) will work closely with the CWA’s ESG & Strategy Director, Governance, Human Resources, Finance and Legal Functions and other internal teams, Implementation Participants, project & partner stakeholders, and external advisors to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and protect the Civil Works Alliance’s interests. If you’re an experienced solicitor who thrives in a complex, collaborative environment and can ensure robust compliance across multi‑million pound infrastructure projects, we would like to hear from you.

About the role:

• Provide expert legal advice and support on contractual, compliance, and regulatory matters throughout the Sizewell C programme
• Develop and embed effective processes, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance with the PAA and all relevant UK laws and regulations—including data protection, competition law, export control, modern slavery, anti‑bribery and corruption, CSR, information technology, conflicts of interest and confidentiality
• Advise on risk mitigation, manage disputes and litigation, and serve as a key contact for dispute resolution in collaboration with external counsel as required
• Collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders—including CWA’s ESG & Strategy Director, Governance, HR, Finance, Legal, the Client, Implementation Participants, subcontractors, and government agencies—to ensure compliance is aligned with business and project objectives
• Ensure compliance requirements are effectively cascaded to the supply chain and robustly monitored
• Oversee the preparation, management, and secure storage of all legal documents and correspondence relating to compliance
• Monitor changes in UK compliance and regulatory law, keeping the project team and policies up to date
• Develop and deliver training and guidance to project teams to embed a culture of compliance and risk management
• Maintain accurate records for audits, dispute resolution, and compliance reviews

What we are looking for:

• Qualified UK solicitor, with significant experience in compliance and regulatory matters
• A minimum of 4 years’ post‑qualification experience, either in private practice or as part of an in‑house legal team in the UK’s construction or infrastructure sector
• Strong track record of embedding compliance frameworks, processes, and documentation into large project environments
• Deep understanding of UK regulatory landscape, with the ability to manage compliance for high‑value, complex programmes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and risk management skills
• Experience with high‑value energy or infrastructure projects is advantageous, but not essential

Join the CWA and play a vital role in protecting the integrity and success of a landmark project. If you’re ready to lead on compliance for a programme that will shape the UK’s future, I encourage you to apply—please click the following link to submit your application.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Construction and Legal Services