Legal Counsel (Land and planning)

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.

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

Contract : Permanent, full-time.

Benefits include:

Annual Leave: 28 days per annum, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service, plus bank holidays.
Opportunity to purchase extra holiday.
Bonus:Up to 5% annual bonus.
Pension Contributions: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme with up to 7.5% employee contribution 15% employer contribution.
Access to benefits portal where additional benefits can be purchased such as private healthcare, discounted gym memberships, electric car schemes etc.

Closing Date: Monday 28th September 2026

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 fromdifferent culturesand experiences
Be open to other’s points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise

Positivity

Positively challengepoor qualityand performance
Identifysolutions at the lowest possible level
Encourage tier 1s and others to bringnew ideasforward

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 the project outcomes

Clarity

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

When joining Sizewell C, you may wonder why you are contacted by colleagues with an EDF email or see the EDF logo on portals that you access and/or documentation you receive; this is because we have partnered with EDF for the provision of a number of support services whilst we complete a successful transition out of the EDF group.

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. Whilst sponsorship may be a possibility that we can explore, we are fully committed to local recruitment where possible, and 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.

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Legal Counsel (Land and planning)