About the role:
This role is a maternity cover contract to cover the Legal Counsel position within Thames Water’s Ventures team. It is expected to last approximately 6 months starting immediately, but some flexibility will be required as to the exact end date.
Thames Water Ventures is an exciting new team within the Kemble Water Group involved in the development and execution of a variety of commercial initiatives within and adjacent to Thames Water’s regulated business. These initiatives include renewable energy projects such as PV, heat, solar and biogas compression projects; property development; IP development; mineral extraction; and fibre-optic projects among others of strategic importance.
This varied role will call for some degree of prior exposure to or understanding of procurement law; competition law relevant to the water and wastewater industry; real estate and planning matters; the operation of water licences; and the water industry regulatory environment more broadly. A practical understanding of corporate governance, managing and communicating material and commercial risks to key stakeholders, structuring projects and an ability to advise within various finance structures will also be required.
However, you will not be expected to be a sector specialist in these areas and the key requirement is for an alert and rounded lawyer possessing strong legal advice and contract management skills in the negotiation of a wide range of commercial agreements and contracts, with previous experience working at a senior level within, or closely with, an in-house Commercial function and providing a broad range of legal advice in a fast-paced environment, working on complex commercial, construction and infrastructure projects. You will have around 8+ years PQE although PQE will only be one measure of suitability for the role.
You will be sole direct counsel for the Ventures team, which comprises about 25 persons, reporting to the Ventures Managing Director, but with dotted line reporting into Thames Water’s in-house Head of Legal. You will therefore be the first point of contact, and have primary responsibility, for day-to-day legal issues in Ventures, including advising directly and procuring external legal advice where required. You will be required to manage your time and prioritise your work according to the team’s needs and to demonstrate an agile and mature approach to your work.
This role will also be required to work closely, as a trusted advisor, with Thames Water’s wider legal, company secretarial, commercial, property, finance and operational functions at a senior level to facilitate the necessary legal support and advice to the Ventures team in relation to its innovative and complex new projects.
To be successful you will have the following skills and experience:
- Ability to manage and work closely with external law firms including panel law firms and to ensure law firm delivery of key outputs and projects
- Solid commercial acumen and awareness of internal and external impacts
- Strong decision-making based on analysis, risk assessment and sound judgment
- Ability to prioritise according to changing demands and to demonstrate resilience under pressure
Subject to government regulation about working in the office, you will predominantly be based with the Ventures team in zone 1 or 2 London, but with frequent travel required to Thames Water’s other sites, including in Reading.
What’s in it for you:
Our competitive salary and package include a competitive bonus, car allowance, private healthcare, an excellent contributory pension, 26 days holiday. There is also a wider benefits scheme which includes an annual pay review, season ticket loans and loyalty awards for continuous service plus discounts at a wide range of retailers via Benefits on Taps. We also have a referral scheme, where you can receive £750 for helping someone get a permanent position within the company.
We’re proud to be here for our local community, offering everyone two days paid volunteer leave a year, as well as proudly supporting a lot of local events and charities.
Click here to find out more about working at Thames Water
About us:
Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to millions of customers by supplying 2.7 billion litres of world-class water to around 10 million homes.
As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever, both locally and globally. That’s why, at Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to daily life, and that means our business is always open. We’re passionate about providing world-class tap water, now and for the future.
We’re also turning waste into power, self-generating 20% of the energy we use and, in turn, doing our bit for the planet. We’re reducing plastic waste by celebrating our tap water and rolling out an ambitious water fountain project. We’re using our voice to lobby for change and partnering with WaterAid to provide clean water to the world’s poorest communities.
Together, we’re building a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and unparalleled benefits. We’re also proud to be an equal opportunity employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident Leader, welcoming individuals from all walks of life and leading the way with award-winning mental health and well-being strategy.