Senior Legal Counsel - Compliance

Help Shape the UK’s Energy Future

Senior Legal Counsel - Compliance Opportunity with the Civil Works Alliance (CWA), Supporting Sizewell C

As part of the CWA (Civil Works Alliance), you will support the building of Sizewell C. Sizewell C will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes and will play a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years. This role will be within the CWA Wide Section.

What will you do?

The Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) will provide strategic legal support, guidance, and management to the Sizewell C Civil Works Alliance on legal and contractual compliance and regulatory matters throughout all phases of the civil works programme of the Sizewell C project. This role requires experience in compliance and regulatory matters, ideally in high-value energy/infrastructure projects, and familiarity with U.K. laws and regulations.

The Senior Legal Counsel (Compliance) will work closely with the CWA’s ESG & Strategy Director, the CWA’s Governance, HR, Finance and Legal Functions and other internal teams, the Implementation Participants, project & partners stakeholders, and external advisors to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and protect the Civil Works Alliance’s interests.

1. Contractual Advisory & Compliance

• Helping to create processes, procedures, policies and necessary documentation to embed the requirements of the PAA into the day-to-day operations of the CWA. For example, relating to:

• • Data and Data Protection
  • Competition Law
  • Export Control
  • Modern Slavery
  • Anti Bribery & Corruption
  • Gifts & Hospitality
  • Corporate & Social Responsibility Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • Confidentiality

• Helping to ensure that relevant requirements in the PAA are adequately flowed down into supply chain contracts and that policies and procedures are put in place to ensure supply chain compliance with relevant PAA requirements.
• Ensure compliance with PAA requirements, applicable laws, industry regulations, and any other project-specific requirements.
• Advise project teams on legal issues, potential risks, and mitigations.

1. Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Manage disputes, claims, and litigation that may arise during the project.
• Serve as a point of contact for dispute resolution processes, collaborating with external counsel as necessary.

1. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Collaborate with internal CWA functions (e.g. Governance, Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Commercial and Legal) to ensure legal alignment with business objectives.
• Work with the Client, the Implementation Participants and other external stakeholders, including clients, subcontractors, and government agencies, to manage compliance and regulatory requirements effectively.

1. Documentation & Record Management

• Oversee the preparation, documentation, and storage of all relevant legal agreements and correspondences relating to compliance and regulatory matters under the PAA.
• Maintain accurate records to ensure easy retrieval for audits, dispute resolution, and compliance checks.

1. Regulatory Monitoring & Policy Development

• Monitor U.K. compliance and regulatory law developments and ensure project compliance.
• Develop and implement internal policies and guidelines to enhance legal compliance and risk management practices.

1. Training & Guidance

• Provide training and resources to project teams on compliance and regulatory requirements under the PAA and the CWA’s applicable policies, procedures and processes.
• Serve as a legal point of reference, offering guidance to ensure team alignment with contractual terms and legal standards.

What are we looking for?

Knowledge & Skills

• Expertise in compliance and regulatory matters from a U.K. perspective.
• Experience in developing and implementing processes, procedures, policies and documentation to help embed compliance and regulatory requirements into major project teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficient in risk management, with experience in dispute resolution.
• Ability to work independently and handle complex legal matters effectively.
• Attention to Detail: Accurate in contract drafting and reviewing to ensure compliance and protect the organisation’s interests.
• Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication to explain complex legal issues to non-legal team members and stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align legal advice with the project’s long-term objectives.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Able to work in a fast-paced environment with evolving project demands and challenges.
• Team player and relationship manager across multiple stakeholders with a strong work ethic
• Commercial awareness
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to operate in a range of environments
• Excellent organisational, planning and time management skills
• MS Office – Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point to a high standard

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified solicitor in the U.K., with a focus on compliance and regulatory matters.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-qualification experience focussing on compliance and regulatory matters, either in private practice or as part of an in-house Legal team within a company operating in the UK’s construction / infrastructure sector.
• Experience of working on high-value energy/infrastructure projects desired, but not essential.

What we will offer you?

The CWA is a single delivery organisation made of up of the client (Sizewell C) and three parent companies - Balfour Beatty, Bouygues and Laing O'Rourke - which offer industry leading packages including market leading salaries, generous annual leave entitlements, pension scheme and other flexible benefits.

About Us

The CWA celebrates the creativity and innovation that comes from a diverse workforce, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds — especially those from under‑represented communities. Our project is built on five core values: Humility, Positivity, Respect, Solidarity, and Clarity.

By joining us, you’ll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work, speak up, and share your ideas. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. If you decide to apply, please avoid including sensitive personal data in your CV.