Job Description

Job Advert


Role Overview


We are a highly dynamic and fast-growing multi-utility company based in the UK, serving small and medium businesses with water, waste, and telecoms services across England and Scotland. Backed by a private equity investor, we are poised for significant growth, including exciting mergers and acquisitions and expansion into even more utility markets. This is a thrilling time to join our team.


We are seeking an experienced and astute Legal & Compliance Director to join our leadership team. This individual will be key to ensuring our company operates within legal boundaries, complying with all regulations, and providing strategic legal advice that supports our growth objectives.


Job Purpose


The Legal & Compliance Director will be instrumental in overseeing all legal matters for the company, ensuring comprehensive regulatory compliance. You will serve as the primary legal expert for our Board and senior leaders, helping to pre-empt legal challenges and ensuring our ongoing adherence to established rules. This role is crucial for our ongoing expansion and all significant M&A initiatives, helping to safeguard our business and our customers.



Roles and Responsibilities



Strategic Leadership



Lead, inspire and develop existing team (Compliance), fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability. Embed Everflow's values into decision-making and team culture. Exemplify excellence in leadership across the whole company, setting the bar as a senior leader in the business.


Legal Accountabilities:



Legal Counsel: You will serve as our trusted legal advisor, providing astute, timely advice on all aspects of business operations - from company operations and employment matters to property issues and market entry strategies. M&A Support: When we are considering mergers or acquisitions, you will play a vital role, assisting with legal due diligence and ensuring seamless integration. Data Protection: Ensuring complete customer and employee data safety and security is paramount. You will ensure full compliance with data protection laws such as GDPR. Company Secretarial: You will oversee all company documentation, ensuring proper corporate governance and maintaining accurate company records. Customer Terms & Conditions: You will develop and review all our customer terms. The objective is to ensure they are legally robust, fair, and clear for our customers. Contract Management: You will be proficient in all aspects of contracts, encompassing drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing a wide range of business agreements. This includes deals with suppliers, customer contracts, partner agreements, and essential documentation for large M&A projects. Intellectual Property: You will be responsible for protecting our unique ideas and creations - our intellectual property. Dispute Resolution: In the event of any legal disputes, you will be responsible for managing and advising on them, seeking external legal support when necessary.


Compliance Accountabilities



Risk Management: You will identify and assess legal and regulatory risks, devising effective strategies for mitigation. Regulatory Oversight: You will be responsible for our entire compliance framework, ensuring adherence to all relevant laws, rules, and industry guidelines across all our markets - water, waste, telecoms, and any new sectors we enter. Water Market Regulation: A key responsibility will be maintaining compliance with the Retail Exit Code and Customer Protection Code of Practice in England (Ofwat) and the Code of Practice in Scotland (WICS). Liaison: You will serve as our primary contact person for external legal advisors, and support the Public Affairs function with engagement with regulatory bodies. Policy Development: You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining up-to-date internal policies and procedures to ensure continuous compliance. Training & Awareness: You will oversee compliance training for our team, fostering a strong "do it right" culture throughout the organisation. Reporting: You will handle all necessary reports for regulatory bodies, ensuring transparency and keeping them informed. Monitoring: You will closely monitor any changes in laws or regulations, ensuring we remain compliant and proactively adapt our processes.


Person Specification



The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks and experience within regulated markets such as utilities, energy, telecoms, or financial services. Commercially astute and pragmatic, they will balance legal integrity with business-focused advice that supports strategic decision-making. A confident and collaborative leader, they will inspire a high-performing team and foster a culture of accountability. With exceptional communication and influencing skills, they will engage effectively with senior leaders, the Board, and regulators, translating complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance while proactively managing legal risk in a dynamic environment.



Experience & Skills



Leadership: Demonstrable experience of leading high performing teams in an agile environment and through periods of change. Stakeholder Management: You excel at building relationships and influencing individuals at all levels, from operational teams to the Board and external regulators. Qualified Lawyer: You must be a qualified solicitor or barrister, holding a valid practicing certificate in England & Wales or Scotland. PQE: Significant post-qualification experience of 7+ years is required. Ideally, this will include in-house experience within a regulated company or advisory experience from a law firm. Regulated Markets Experience: It is highly desirable that you possess solid experience working within or advising highly regulated industries, particularly utilities (water, energy, telecoms) or financial services. Regulatory Knowledge: You should demonstrate strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks. Contractual Expertise: You should be proficient in drafting, negotiating, and interpreting diverse business contracts. * Company Secretarial Knowledge: Familiarity with company secretarial duties and robust corporate governance practices is highly desirable.