Associate Counsel

National Football League; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The NFL is seeking an experienced commercial transactional lawyer to provide legal and business affairs support for its international growth. Based in our London office, you will be a key member of the London-based legal team, advising European offices, operations and International Games activities while coordinating with colleagues in New York.

You will draft and negotiate contracts, manage outside counsel, ensure GDPR/privacy compliance, and help shape global strategies.

Qualifications

• 2–5+ years of commercial transactional experience at a leading law firm or in-house legal department.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience driving compliance with data privacy laws, including GDPR and other international privacy regulations.

Responsibilities

• Structuring, drafting and negotiating contracts to support the NFL’s growing international work streams.
• Providing robust legal advice and risk mitigation to international operations and commercial teams.
• Supporting the Senior Counsel responsible for international matters, leading material matters and deputizing as needed.
• Supporting the Head of Privacy to ensure international activities comply with privacy laws and policies.
• Monitoring legal developments and updating templates to maintain compliance and best practice.
• Managing outside counsel in relevant international markets.

Skills

Commercial transactions

Contract drafting & negotiation

Privacy & data protection

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

The NFL is seeking an experienced commercial transactional lawyer to provide legal and business affairs advice in support of the NFL's international growth strategy. Based in the NFL's London office, this role will serve as a key member of the NFL's London-based legal team and the broader global Legal Department, providing primary legal support to the League's European offices, business operations and International Games activities, while also supporting broader international initiatives. The successful candidate must be comfortable leading matters independently, exercising sound commercial judgment, and collaborating closely with colleagues across the legal team in both London and New York, while managing multiple priorities across jurisdictions and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Structuring, drafting and negotiating contracts to support the NFL’s growing international work streams (e.g. International Games, International club marketing initiatives, International Player Development Programs, International Flag Football Programs, International Sponsorship and Licensing activities and the day-to-day activities of the international offices).
• Providing robust legal advice and risk mitigation strategies in an efficient and effective manner to the international operational and commercial teams.
• Supporting the Senior Counsel responsible for international legal matters in overseeing the European and broader international legal workload, including independently leading material matters, acting as a senior day-to-day legal contact for European stakeholders and deputizing on appropriate matters.
• Supporting the NFL’s Head of Privacy to ensure the NFL’s international activities comply with relevant privacy laws and applicable League policies.
• Monitoring legal developments and updating template documents to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Managing outside counsel in relevant international markets.

Required Qualifications

• 2-5+ years of commercial transactional experience as a qualified solicitor gained at a leading law firm and/or in-house legal department
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Experience driving compliance with data privacy laws, including a foundational knowledge of the GDPR and other international privacy regulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with sports law
• Previous in-house experience
• Previous experience advising or working for a US company

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

• Must be collaborative, personable and able to work effectively with a broad spectrum of different people
• Must be able to adapt to rapidly developing business initiatives, multiple competing priorities and inconvenient time-zones

Travel

• Periodic travel to NFL offices (including NY headquarters and international offices) and international events

Benefits Information

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits offerings, please visit: NFL BENEFITS

At the NFL, in-person work at our offices is a top priority because it allows us to collaborate more effectively, build stronger connections, and maintain the culture that drives our success. This role requires onsite presence at an NFL office or stadium location, and remote and/or hybrid working options are not offered.

NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED.

The NFL is committed to building an inclusive work environment that reflects our incredible fan base. We provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants without regard to status as protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.

WHO WE ARE:

NFL Core Values:

• Respect: Everyone matters. We celebrate diverse opinions, honor hard work, and value every contribution.
• Integrity: We do what's right, even when it's tough. We hold ourselves accountable and always follow through.
• Team Responsibility: We support each other and our communities. No one is bigger than the game, and every action impacts others.
• Resiliency: We set high standards, overcome adversity, and adapt to challenges, always striving for excellence.
• Build Talent: We develop and nurture potential, empowering individuals to grow and succeed.
• Execute: We take action with precision, delivering results that drive our goals forward.
• Inspire: We motivate others through vision, energy, and a commitment to excellence.
• Live Our Values: We embody our core principles in every decision and action.
• Know the Business: We stay informed, understand our industry, and make decisions that strengthen our position.
• Think Big: We challenge the status quo, envision bold possibilities, and strive for transformative impact

WHO YOU ARE:

Talent Attributes: What we expect for our employees:

• Embody an enthusiastic, proactive can-do attitude
• Embracegrit,free from ego orentitlement
• Excel as a relationship builder, with the ability to influence
• Eager learner, driven by passion rather than justambition
• Encompasses an incredible work ethic with an agile mindset