Commercial Legal Counsel
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£41,700
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2419 (90% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £41,700, and ESSAR OIL (UK) LIMITED is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2419 Legal professionals not elsewhere classified Most likely code | £33,400 | £33,400 | £37,500 | £41,700 |
2412 Solicitors and lawyers Also possible | £36,100 | £41,300 | £46,500 | £51,600 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Commercial Legal Counsel
Location: Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, Ellesmere Port
Employment Type: Site Based Full Time Role 5 days per week Monday-Friday
- Competitive salary
- 10% company contribution pension
- 25 days holiday, increasing with service
- Private medical insurance
- Additional flex benefits, including holiday purchase
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme with Exclusive access to a range of Discounts
- Free Secure On-Site Car Parking
About the Company
EET Retail, a dedicated retail division of EET Fuels, focused on supplying fuel to and operating an expanding network of Essar-branded service stations across the UK. We are part of Essar Energy Transition supporting energy transition in the UK covering refining, infrastructure, hydrogen and power generation. See https://essarenergytransition.com/our-portfolio-eet-retail/ for more info.
About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced Commercial Legal Counsel (6–10 PQE) to join our Retail legal team, supporting a fast-scaling, consumer-facing business at the intersection of energy, FMCG, and convenience retail.
Our forecourts are evolving into modern, multi-service retail hubs, combining fuel, food, leading consumer brands, and everyday services — delivering fuel, convenience and community, all in one stop. This role offers genuine ownership and visibility, with responsibility for shaping legal frameworks that directly impact customer experience, brand partnerships, and commercial growth.
Key Responsibilities
Senior Business Partnering
- Act as a key legal advisor to senior stakeholders across Retail business covering Marketing, BD, Operations, and Digital
- Provide strategic, commercially focused input on business initiatives, expansion, and customer propositions
Commercial Contracting Leadership
- Lead negotiation and management of complex agreements including supply, distribution, procurement and partnership contracts
- Negotiating Fuel Supply Agreements for dealer owned and dealer operated (DODO) sites
- Support brand, concession, and FMCG partnerships
- Drive best practice contracting and efficiency improvements
Marketing, Promotions & Consumer Law
- Advise on advertising, campaigns, promotions and pricing strategies
- Ensure compliance with consumer law, advertising standards, and trading regulations
- Support promotional campaigns and T&Cs
Retail Operations & Customer Experience
- Provide legal support across multi-service retail environments
- Advise on consumer-facing terms, complaints, and customer journey risks
Brand, IP & Partnerships
- Support brand protection, licensing, and partnerships
- Advise on loyalty card schemes
- product launches and services
Network Growth & Property
- Work with in-house dedicated Senior Property Counsel in supporting network expansion through Company Leased and Company Owned sites and any issues arising from ongoing sites
Governance & Risk
- Maintain compliance frameworks and governance standards
- Provide advice on competition, consumer law, and data/privacy
- Mentor junior colleagues and build legal awareness
- Qualified Solicitor (E&W)
- 6–10 years’ PQE
- Experience in FMCG, retail, or consumer sectors (in a petrol forecourt business would be desirable but not essential)
- Strong commercial contracting and consumer law experience
- Confident stakeholder manager with a commercial mindset
Apply now if you are a commercially driven lawyer looking to step into a strategic, business-facing role.
Application ProcessWe are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
This vacancy will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks and will remain open to applications until an offer has been made and accepted. Therefore, the vacancy may close at any time after 13/10/2026, and we encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with ESSAR OIL (UK) LIMITED, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Legal professionals not elsewhere classified (SOC 2419) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~79k in sample- Middle half £26,624–~41,496
- Median £34,060
- Going rate £41,700
- Threshold £41,700
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at ESSAR OIL (UK) LIMITEDAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. ESSAR OIL (UK) LIMITED holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2419 going rate of £41,700. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.