About this role
Closing Date
2026-01-30Job Title: Infrastructure Solicitor (SRO)
Location: Falmer, East Sussex (hybrid - 2-3 days per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37, Monday to Friday
Salary: £competitive, dependent on experience
About the role
To provide high quality commercial 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 (WfLH) Programme, in particular the Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST), and Southeast Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) Strategic Resource Options (SRO) programmes
What you will be responsible for:
- Advising on the legal ramifications and structuring of a wide range of commercial arrangements and diverse capital /commercial projects, transactions and contracts.
- Drafting, negotiating and settling various forms of commercial contracts.
- Advising on the full regime of public procurement regulations and practical procurement issues, including acting as guardian of relevant legal policies and providing standardised procurement and commercial legal agreements.
- Advising the company on the legal ramifications and structuring of a wide range of often complex and expansive engineering and construction arrangements and diverse commercial projects, transactions and contracts (working with the Senior Commercial Solicitor).
- Focussing on the full remit of non-contentious (and some initial stages contentious) engineering and construction matters relating to infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Qualified lawyer (Solicitor/Barrister/Chartered Legal Executive) ideally with at least 10 years relevant post-qualification experience.
- Expert knowledge of law and legal research techniques, contract drafting and interpretation.
- Expertise in public procurement law and practice (knowledge of new Direct Procurement for Customers regime highly desirable, but not essential).
- Has reliable legal judgement and appreciates legal risk.
- Produces sound analysis, using secure legal research.
- Highly developed commercial awareness.
- Excellent degree qualification (2:1 or equivalent), or satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement.
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.
"At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need."
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-AC1
Other facts
About Southern Water
We are one of the largest water and wastewater companies in the South East of England and thrive on the passion and hard work of more than 2,000 employees.
Together we supply 532 million litres of drinking water every day to more than two million customers and treat and recycle 717 million litres of wastewater for more than four million customers in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Water is essential to every aspect of our lives and we're proud to be at the heart of managing water and wastewater services. We drink it, cook with it and use it to clean. Our water supply faces big challenges - the population of the South East is growing fast, and climate change is bringing greater risk of droughts and more extreme weather. It’s a future of more people needing water and wastewater services, with less water to go around.
So, together with our customers and communities, we aim to provide a sustainable, high-quality water and wastewater service that helps us create a resilient future for water in the South East.
Find out more about us:
Website: www.southernwater.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernWater
Twitter: @SouthernWater
Instagram: @southernwatermedia
We use market research tools to improve our service. For more info, visit: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/our-customers/privacy
What you'll do
- The role involves providing high-quality commercial legal services focused on Southern Water's water resources infrastructure programme. Responsibilities include advising on legal ramifications, drafting and negotiating contracts, and ensuring compliance with public procurement regulations.
Ready to join Southern Water?
Take the next step in your career journey