Senior Legal Counsel

We're seeking a highly motivated team-player to join the legal team. Within Affinity Water the Planning and Infrastructure Projects Lawyer will report to the Senior Regulatory Counsel in Affinity Water's small in-house legal team (consisting of six qualified legal professionals and a trainee situated within the Finance & Corporate Services Directorate) and work closely with the Strategic Resource Options (SRO) team (situated within in the Asset Strategy and Capital Delivery directorate) and business stakeholders at all levels of the company. Outside Affinity Water, the Planning and Infrastructure Projects Lawyer will work with our external lawyers, and the lawyers and other specialists from other water companies and third parties.

This role 

You will have the opportunity to work at the heart of major infrastructure projects. The GUC will be the first project to be delivered, with a planned completion in The project will utilise the canal infrastructure to transfer treated wastewater from Severn Trent's wastewater recycling centre at Minworth in the Midlands, to Affinity Water customers in the Southeast, who we predict will experience a water deficit by The project is at a critical stage, having completed its first non-statutory consultation in Autumn 2024, and with work progressing through the RAPID scheme, a statutory consultation planned for early 2026, followed by the Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning and Infrastructure Projects Lawyer will provide a pivotal role, including:

• Working closely on a day-to-day basis with the SRO team, providing advice on all aspects of planning law to further the delivery of the GUC and other SRO projects;
• Advising throughout the RAPID and DCO processes, including managing the relationship with Affinity Water's external solicitors;
• Advising in relation to the broader commercial aspects of the SROs including: collaboration agreements, bulk supply agreements, procurement and construction contracts.

Experience required

• 5 years PQE, planning law essential
• Qualified solicitor or barrister
• Advising in relation to specialist commercial and construction law contracts 
• Excellent legal analytical skills and a close attention to detail
• A high-degree of initiative and the ability to drive outcomes
• Water sector, utilities/infrastructure or construction sector experience 

What We Offer:

• Salary based on experience 
• Full time or part-time available with a minimum expectation of 3 days per week
  
• Flexi working / Hybrid option 
• Company annual bonus scheme.
• Annual leave from 26 days rising with length of service, and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• A 'Celebration Day' in addition to public holidays that people can use to celebrate a religious festival or other occasion that is important to them.
• A generous 'double match pension scheme' that doubles the contributions you make (company contribution capped at 12%)
• We offer a range of family benefits including enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support Leave and up to 5 full or 10 half days of paid Carers Leave.
• Menopause policy and Reasonable Adjustment policy to help everyone perform at their best.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental health.
• Discounts at a Range of Retail Outlets and on Dental and Medical Insurance through our Tap4Perks scheme.
• Disability confident (if you need to apply through a different format, please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner for this role)

About us

Affinity Water is the UKs largest water-only supplier, providing sustainable, high-quality water to 3.85million customers across the Southeast of England.

We are on a mission to redefine the way water companies connect with their customers and communities, and to make better use of water and safeguard the local environment now and in the future. Outside Affinity Water, you will work with our external lawyers and specialists from other water companies and third parties and internally with the Strategic Resource Options (SRO) team and business stakeholders at all levels of the company.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.