In-House Legal Counsel

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to serve communities while protecting the environment. Together with our subsidiaries, South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power, we’re leading the way in water and renewables.

We’re proud to be recognised as a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.

Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory

Location: Exeter / Bristol (Hybrid)
Salary: £80,000 – £90,000 per annum plus excellent benefits (salary depending on experience)
Pennon Group plc

Shape the future of essential services

At Pennon, we’re more than a utilities company, we’re custodians of essential infrastructure that supports everyday life. As part of one of the largest in-house legal teams in the South West, you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting our commercial operations and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape across water and energy.

We’re now looking for an experienced In-House Counsel to join our collaborative and forward-thinking legal team.

The Role

You will be a trusted advisor across Pennon Group plc, supporting a wide range of commercial and regulatory activities. You’ll partner closely with colleagues across procurement, infrastructure, and regulatory functions—ensuring legal risk is managed while enabling the business to make confident, commercially sound decisions.

This is a varied and high-impact role where no two days are the same.

Key Responsibilities

Advise on a broad range of commercial and regulatory matters across the Group

Lead on the negotiation, drafting, and management of complex contracts, including high-value and strategically critical agreements

Support capital delivery programmes, supplier relationships, and procurement activities

Provide guidance on framework agreements, master service agreements, and bespoke contracts

Advise on specialist agreements (experience-dependent), including:

Power purchase agreements

Private wire agreements

Construction contracts (particularly NEC)

Deliver pragmatic solutions to commercial challenges and help resolve disputes before escalation

Provide regulatory advice, ensuring compliance with industry frameworks

Support regulated procurement processes and queries

Contribute to contract standardisation and smarter procurement strategies

Deliver training to business stakeholders on legal and commercial topics

Advise on corporate governance matters

Support and mentor junior team members and trainees

About You

You’re a commercially astute legal professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys tackling complex challenges.

Essential Skills & Experience

UK qualified solicitor with 7+ years’ PQE

Strong experience in commercial contracting and regulatory advice

Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, business-friendly guidance

A proactive problem-solver and strategic thinker

Comfortable working across a diverse and evolving workload

A supportive team player who enjoys mentoring others

Desirable

Experience working in a regulated industry (e.g. utilities, energy, infrastructure)

Why Pennon?

Be part of one of the largest in-house legal teams in Devon

Work in a close-knit, collaborative team alongside experienced legal professionals

Exposure to high-profile, business-critical projects

Opportunities to develop new skills and expand your legal expertise

A culture that celebrates individuality and growth, guided by our values:

What’s in it for You

At Pennon, we recognise that our people are key to our success. We are committed to supporting your development and offering long-term career progression opportunities. As one of the South West’s leading organisations, we are proud to hold Investors in People accreditation.

Ready to make a difference? Join us as our Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatory and help create a workplace where people thrive.

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Legal Counsel - Commercial & Regulatoryyou'll enjoy:

Competitive Salary – Based on experience and skills

Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance

Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future

Flexible Working Options – We value work-life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible

Healthcare Benefits – Access to employee assistance programs

Employee Discounts – On various products and services

Annual Leave – Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement

Closing Date: 15th July 2026

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge