Legal and Regulatory Compliance Counsel

Application Deadline: 28 November 2025Department: Legal AffairsLocation: Rotterdam, NetherlandsDescriptionAn exciting opportunity has arisen for a Dutch qualified commodity trading lawyer and regulatory compliance specialist to join a rapidly growing commodity and energy trading company - PetroChina International (Netherlands) Co., B.V. (‘PCINBV’), a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroChina London International (‘PCIL’) on a full-time basis for an initial 12-month fixed term contract. The role holder will be required to work from the office in Rotterdam 5 days per week.Reporting to the General Manager of PCINBV, this role will primarily be accountable for providing commercial legal and regulatory compliance advice to the commodity trading and executive functions of PCINBV, but will also support members of the legal team of PCIL and its other subsidiaries with advice on a diverse range of legal, compliance and regulatory matters across PCINBV and PCIL’s business portfolio.This role is of pivotal importance in ensuring that new and existing business activities of PCINBV and PCIL are undertaken in full compliance with applicable European laws, exchange rules and regulations. Participation in new commercial and business development initiatives is essential and that extensive legal due diligence and regulatory support is provided by the job holder to facilitate commercial transactions within applicable laws and regulatory standards.Key ResponsibilitiesProviding legal advice and regulatory compliance support to new and existing business activities of PCINBV and PCIL within EU including advising on transactions involving biofuels, physical gas, LNG, refined product and petrochemical trading contracts, General Terms and Conditions, storage agreements, charterparties, shipping and related issues.Ensuring the business complies with Dutch and European laws, rules and regulations applicable to the physical and financial trading of commodities and protecting the business from compliance and regulatory risks arising out of this activity.Communicating the relevance of laws and regulations applicable to new business activities to commercial and management stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business and operational objectives.Advising the business on the resolution of contentious trading and non-trading issues, disputes, or enquiries with the support of external counsel where required.Drafting and reviewing corporate documents including board documents, liaising with external company secretary and business stakeholders on company secretarial and corporate governance matters.Providing regulatory support for the PCINBV and PCIL’s hydrocarbon and chemical trading and importation activities including support for maintaining compliance with REACH obligations.Ensure up to date information on EU importers for applicable substances is retained for audit purposes and protecting the business from regulatory risk.Identifying legal and compliance risks and supporting the provision of legal and compliance training across the business with the assistance of external counsel where required.Providing legal advice and support on other EU related legal issues arising from PCIL’s affiliates’ (which includes PCIL’s parent company-PetroChina International Company Limited and its subsidiaries) with the assistance of external counsel where required.Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseExperience of working in the energy sector, along with a track record of advising on Dutch legal and regulatory compliance issues.An educational background in Law, Regulation, Compliance and a deep understanding of European regulatory frameworks.If coming from private practice, candidates should have completed at least a three-month secondment with a commodity trading company, bank, or an in-house corporate/commercial legal team.Good understanding of the energy trading industry and solid background in a commodity trading, corporate or commercial discipline.Knowledge of shipping, crude oil, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuels, products and/or LNG, gas and power trading agreements/incoterms/general terms and conditions would be advantageous.Knowledge of REACH and compliance would be advantageous though some training on REACH regulations can be providedMust hold a relevant law qualification in the Netherlands. Additional qualifications from other EU countries will be advantageous.Ability to work autonomously as the dedicated first point of contact for legal advice and supportAbility to interpret, digest and communicate complex laws and regulations in a practical, actionable mannerCommercial, proactive and professional approach to workEnergetic individual with good interpersonal skillsDrive, commitment and ability to work independently but closely alongside business stakeholders and partnersMotivation and a strong desire to learn and acquire experience of new areas of practiceTeam player, flexible and willing to support other members of PetroChina’s Legal Affairs team with a diverse work portfolioProven record of sound judgment, commercial awareness and high-quality contribution to business strategy and deliveryExcellent spoken and written EnglishBenefitsThis role offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package including Insurance coverage; Health Insurance, Pension Scheme, Gym Allowance, Commuting Allowance, 8% annual holiday allowance and 28 vacation days (excluding bank holidays), discretionary performance related bonus and more.Interested?If the role sounds like a good fit for you, we invite you to upload a copy of your CV by clicking on the Apply button.Start Date: ASAPStrictly No Recruitment Agencies; any submission of CV’s without prior request/ engagement from Petroineos will not be deemed as an introduction and therefore will not warrant an introduction fee.