Dubai, Sports Director (10 PQE plus), In House / inhouse within Sports & Entertainment

Ellis-Wake; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a seasoned sports and entertainment lawyer to lead their legal department in the GCC. This exciting role involves managing all legal aspects, including restructuring and regulatory compliance while building a team of bilingual lawyers. The position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with national football teams and major sporting organizations, driving the business forward in a dynamic environment. If you are ready to take on a pivotal role in a thriving sector and have a passion for sports law, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in sports and entertainment law.
• Exposure to GCC and KSA sports work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal aspects within the sports department across the GCC.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts and agreements.

Skills

Sports Law

Entertainment Law

Contract Negotiation

Regulatory Compliance

Intellectual Property

Education

Qualified Lawyer (PQE 10+)

Job description

Exclusive and new for Q2 of 2025 - having just placed a projects director, we are further mandated for this in-house sports role in the UAE @ 10+ PQE. You will likely be an Aus / UK / US candidate. This will suit a general commercial sports and entertainment lawyer that is already in the ME or a lawyer keen to swap London. But you must have exposure to GCC sports work and more notably KSA sport work. The role will report direct to the senior director and your 'want' should be to drive forward this department and business line.

You will be responsible for all the legal aspects within the department including the sector's restructuring and regulatory framework across the GCC. The KSA region is fundamental and all experience here will be considered a plus. You will lead a team of Arabic and English speaking lawyers and build a team with that in mind.

Your experience will include: advice on all issues regarding sports, but also on entertainment law, including contracts, intellectual property, sponsorship, media rights, and regulatory compliance. This will include, on a more day-to-day basis: drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and agreements. You will be exposed to the relationships with national football teams, FIFA, and the AFC. Fundamentally, you will build a team of experts focusing on the commercial legal aspects of sports and drive the business forward; hence the seniority.

If this role is of interest, please contact Dan Wake (Director) in confidence at [e-mail] or on ([phone].

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