Senior Legal Counsel - GSCOP & Commercial

Senior Legal Counsel – GSCOP & Commercial

Tesco UK • Welwyn Garden City • Hybrid • Full-Time • Permanent • Working hours 36 • Apply by 10-Jul-2026

The Senior Legal Counsel – GSCOP & Commercial leads legal support for Tesco's supplier-facing regulatory compliance, providing both strategic and operational legal advice on commercial activities and transformation projects that impact suppliers. This role is a key part of Tesco's risk management framework, ensuring supplier relationships are managed fairly, transparently and in line with legal and regulatory requirements, while enabling delivery of key commercial initiatives. In this role, you will act in line with our Business Code of Conduct, always demonstrating integrity and due diligence, alongside specific risk responsibilities. As a centre of expertise, you will take ownership of one of Tesco's key compliance risks – the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). You will lead legal support for supplier-facing regulatory compliance and provide strategic and practical advice on a wide range of commercial activities.

Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary.
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays).
• Private medical insurance.
• 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (12 months service required at the qualifying date) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, and 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave.
• Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing.
• This information is a shortened summary, refer to our policies for full details.

Responsibilities

• Act as the legal lead for supplier regulatory compliance across the UK business, providing expert advice on complex and high‑risk issues.
• Interpret and apply regulatory requirements across a broad range of commercial activities.
• Own and deliver regulatory reporting requirements, including drafting submissions, coordinating cross‑functional input and shaping the legal narrative.
• Lead preparation for regulatory engagement, including briefing senior stakeholders.
• Partner with the business to identify legal risks early and shape compliant, practical solutions that support strategic priorities.
• Advise on supplier complaints, disputes and escalations, helping to reach fair and legally robust outcomes.
• Design and deliver training programmes to ensure colleagues understand their obligations when working with suppliers.
• Produce clear, practical guidance to embed compliance into day‑to‑day commercial decision‑making.
• Identify emerging risks and evolving training needs across the business.
• Prepare papers and briefings for senior stakeholders, including executive and governance forums, on supplier compliance risks and activity.
• Support key Tesco finance initiatives and lead on legal compliance with Tesco's Commercial Income Policy.

Qualifications

• To be a proactive self‑starter, comfortable working autonomously and leading on matters.
• To be a qualified lawyer with experience in regulatory compliance.
• Strong general commercial experience, ideally gained in‑house (or via secondment).
• The ability to simplify complex issues, see the bigger picture and work efficiently under pressure within a varied and fast‑paced workload.
• A robust and effective style, with the confidence to operate in a collaborative environment that values constructive challenge and open debate.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms and positively influence stakeholders.
• A commercial and pragmatic approach, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the business.
• An excellent academic background, with experience gained at a top‑tier law firm or in‑house.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a collegial team environment.
• Comfort managing a broad, and at times unpredictable, workload.