Legal Counsel

Career Area: Legal, Strategy & Compliance

Legal Counsel

Sizewell C's business is to design, finance, construct, commission, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the nuclear power plant and related infrastructure at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Overall, whilst the Company is in the construction phase, the Boards' principal focus is on the development and construction of Sizewell C on time, on budget and to the highest quality and safety standards. The Company is maturing to meet all these requirements.

Sizewell C is economically regulated by OFGEM under the RAB model similar to other UK electricity distribution networks and Thames Tideway.

Sizewell C construction strategy is to replicate the design of Hinkley Point C, using the majority of the same supply chain, but innovating in the way it is delivered to achieve savings in time and cost of around 20%. The CCO will need to be guided by and incorporate lessons learned from the Hinkley Point C commercial delivery to achieve Sizewell C's ambition.

Following Financial Completion and Revenue Commencement, Sizewell C is fully funded and is owned by; The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero representing HM Government, La Caisse, Centrica, EDF and Amber Infrastructure.

Legal Counsel, Land and Planning

Location: Based in Suffolk or in Manchester with travel to Suffolk as required.

Contract: Permanent, full-time.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: 28 days per annum, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service, plus bank holidays.
• Bonus: 5% on target annual bonus.
• Pension Contributions: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme with up to 7.5% employee contribution, 15% employer contribution.

Sizewell C is entering an exciting phase of growth as we mature into an independent organisation and continue building one of the UK's largest and most important energy projects.

About the Role

You will provide strategic and practical legal advice on all land matters for the Sizewell C nuclear new build project. You will also support Sizewell C in delivering against its planning requirements, advising on compliance with the terms of its DCO, DoO and any other relevant planning permissions, working closely with the planning legal counsel.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders (particularly the land, planning and delivery teams), external advisors, government bodies, and landowners to support the timely, efficient and compliant delivery of the project.

The role is central to securing, managing, and protecting the land rights required for one of the UK's largest and most complex infrastructure developments. The role sits within the Sizewell C legal team, which supports all areas of the Sizewell C project.

About You

We are looking for a qualified solicitor or barrister (England & Wales) with significant post qualification experience in planning, infrastructure, property or environmental law.

You will also have:

• Strong experience advising on major infrastructure, energy or development projects
• Demonstrable experience in land acquisition, property transactions, and compulsory purchase.
• Strong understanding of UK planning and consenting regimes, including DCO processes
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• The ability to provide pragmatic, solutions focused legal advice in a fast paced environment
• Experience working collaboratively across multidisciplinary project teams

Why Join Us?

• Be part of one of the most important low carbon energy projects in the UK.
• Work in a mission driven environment that values innovation, integrity, and long term sustainability.
• Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career development.
• Flexible and hybrid working options.

Behavioural Competences Humility

• Recognise the value brought from different cultures and experiences
• Be open to others' points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise

Positivity

• Positively challenge poor quality and performance
• Identify solutions at the lowest possible level
• Encourage tier 1s and others to bring new ideas forward

Respect

• Value the rules and environment in which we operate
• Give and receive feedback with respect
• Embrace and engage with new people and ideas
• One team, working closely together and helping each other
• Empowered teams always looking forward.
• Shared responsibility for delivery of the project outcomes

Clarity

• Communicate clearly and consistently
• Promote collaboration and team alignment
• Drive simplification at all levels

At Sizewell C we encourage and embrace diversity and how it can improve our experience and performance at work. It is a requirement that those who join us have the right to work in the UK. We are fully committed to local recruitment where possible, and to those already holding the right to work in the UK.

To be appointed to this role, you will need to meet the criteria for Security Vetting, which will, ordinarily, require you to have been a resident of the UK for at least three of the past five years.