Regulation Lawyer

The UK is on a journey to reach net zero targets by 2050. The energy sector plays a vital part in helping the country to make this transformational change but to deliver on this ambition we need people with talent, the drive, and the passion to make this a reality. We are seeing unprecedented growth in the need for new energy infrastructure. To support this growth in infrastructure we are also seeing increasing demand for regulatory legal advice. The regulatory framework and associated funding arrangements under which we operate are evolving and need to change further to deliver a regime that can fully support the transformation required.  Additional support is therefore needed in the UK Legal team to provide advice to National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) on a wide range of high profile and strategically important regulatory legal matters.

We’re looking for a passionate Regulation Lawyer (Qualified Solicitor or Barrister) to join our General Counsel Electricity Transmission (ET) Legal to tackle a broad range of complex, high value, or important contentious issues, with the support of our Panel Firms and other subject matter experts.

You will work closely with colleagues in the UK Legal team, alongside the NGET regulatory and business teams to provide legal support on a wide variety of regulatory legal matters.

Alongside strong legal skills, we are looking for an individual who is passionate about the energy sector and our net-zero goal. You must have strong commercial awareness and problem-solving abilities, ideally with experience of or in a regulated industry.

This role can be based out of our Warwick or Strand office, and we’d hope to see you at least two days per week but you’re welcome to be in the office more often if that would work best for you. We’re happy to discuss any additional flexibility in working patterns or requirements that you feel could help to make this job work for you!

What You'll Do

• Provide legal advice and support regarding NGET’s regulatory framework and licence conditions to ensure understanding of existing and evolving obligations.
• Build strong working relationships across the business and engage with key external stakeholders, including Ofgem and relevant Government Departments (e.g., DESNZ).
• Advise on NGET’s regulatory submissions to Ofgem and review industry code modifications, supporting the customer connections team and legal colleagues with regulatory queries.
• Draft briefing notes for internal stakeholders, including the Board, on regulatory legal matters, highlighting risks for proper management and mitigation.
• Advise on business separation matters and influence policy developments related to regulatory frameworks.
• Support responses to emerging legislation, Ofgem, and Government consultations, advising on business implications.
• Provide guidance on regulatory investigations and appeals, liaising with and instructing external legal advisors as necessary.
• Contribute to ad hoc internal projects within UK Legal and deliver presentations and training on relevant regulatory topics to the UK Legal team and business teams.
• Use experience to develop and supervise other members of the UK Legal team on regulatory matters, defining wider legal risks aligned with National Grid’s scale and strategy.
• Support other members of the National Grid group in additional legal work carried out by the UK Legal team as opportunities arise.

What You'll Have

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in either regulatory or competition law, acquired in private practice and/or within an in-house legal team (likely to have at least 5 years PQE, although all levels of PQE will be considered if you can show the requisite experience).
• A background of working in a regulated sector is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided on NGET’s regulatory framework.
• Knowledge of the CMA appeals process is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and time management skills
• Ability to work within a team environment, with a proactive attitude and ability to build strong relationships in a team or business environment.
• No previous experience within the energy or utilities industry is required as training will be provided, although an interest in the sector is desired.
• Ability to manage and deliver against competing priorities.
• Experience and strong track record in project or relationship management.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.

What You'll Get

Competitive Salary dependent on experience

Plus:

• Up to 20% Annual Bonus (based on personal and company performance).
• 28 days annual leave, plus eight statutory days in addition.
• A full electric company car or cash alternative.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• The option to buy additional or sell holiday days every year.
• A generous contributory pension scheme - we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions.     
• Life Insurance 10 x base salary.
• Access to benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to apps which support health, fitness and wellbeing.

Further Information

This is a hybrid working role from our Warwick or Strand office with circa 2 days in the office. The closing date for this vacancy is Midnight 31 Dec 24, with interviews due to take place w/c 6 Jan 25 onwards. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

About Us

National Grid touches the lives of almost everyone in the UK, with an energy network that stretches across the Atlantic. We’re an international team, and our work underpins the lives of millions of people. Feet forwards, head up, and eyes bright, we’re working hard to create value for people today – and shape the future of energy tomorrow. In the UK, we don’t generate or sell energy – we join the dots to get energy from A to B. National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) owns and operates the high voltage electricity transmission system in England and Wales. Our role is key in enabling the transition to a low carbon energy system by designing and building the generation and demand connections and wider infrastructure needed to meet the UK’s ambitious net zero targets.

Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.

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