Infrastructure Solicitor

Job Title: Infrastructure Solicitor
Location: Falmer (Brighton)/hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37, Monday to Friday
Salary: £competitive, dependent on experience
There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint
Job Overview
To provide high quality legal services to the Engineering & Capital Delivery function of Southern Water, focused on Southern Water’s water resources infrastructure programme, the Water for Life Hampshire programme (WfLH), particularly the Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST), and South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) Strategic Resource Options (SRO) programmes, through:
* supporting the Senior Environmental and Planning Solicitor on high value and complex capital projects, and in advising on technically challenging and highly specialist engineering and construction projects, working with, advising and supporting project teams and operational functions.
* advising on a wide range of project related legal matters including the consenting processes under the Planning Act 2008 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, conduct of public inquiries and examinations, statutory consultation processes, Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations, land acquisition strategies and liaison/negotiation with regulators and other statutory bodies.
* drafting, negotiating and settling various forms of agreement with statutory bodies, landowners and other affected parties relating to the consenting processes for infrastructure including but not limited to the Development Consent Order process under the Planning Act 2008 and planning applications under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
* focussing on the full remit of non-contentious, and some contentious. planning and consenting matters relating to infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.
* supporting and liaising with other members of the WflH legal team including the Commercial and Infrastructure Solicitors, and external legal support, on the legal ramifications and structuring of a wide range of capital projects related to the water SROs and similar significant infrastructure projects.
About You
* Expert knowledge of law and legal research techniques, contract drafting and interpretation.
* Senior level experience of providing commercial/ contracting legal advice for engineering & construction projects within a regulated environment.
* Has reliable legal judgement and appreciates legal risk.
* Expert in their field and an acknowledged authority; expected to have a good grounding in infrastructure, planning, environment and related regulatory law.
* Knowledge of statutory and environmental regulations within which the Company operates.
* Expert influencer and negotiator.
* Pro-active individual with interest in business matters.
* Excellent degree qualification (2:1 or equivalent), or satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement.
* Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive) ideally with at least 4-5 years relevant post-qualification experience.
Package
This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home. We are offering a competitive salary depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:
• Company and performance-related bonus
• Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution
• Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
• Health benefits through a Cash Plan
• Two paid community volunteering days a year
• 25 days annual holiday
• Occupational health service
• Stars Reward gateway offering discounts and savings on several products and experiences
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• We offer competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
Join our Legal team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment

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