General Counsel

DFL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A national sports governing body is seeking an experienced legal professional to manage legal risks and compliance. The successful candidate will advise the Board on commercial contracts, oversee regulation setting, and direct litigation efforts. High levels of integrity, outstanding communication, and experience in a fast-paced environment are essential. This role offers an opportunity to influence senior leadership in a vibrant organization.

Qualifications

• Substantial post-qualification experience in private practice and/or in-house.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Ability to act as a trusted advisor at the highest levels.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the Board understands legal risks and compliance.
• Advise on commercial contracts and regulations.
• Direct litigation and oversee external counsel.

Skills

Legal risk management

Advice on commercial contracts

Data protection

Corporate governance

Stakeholder management

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified lawyer in England and Wales

Job description

PURPOSE

This role is responsible for the leal risk management of the ECB across its full range of commercial, contentious, regulatory and risk issues.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering proactive and robust legal advice in an efficient and effective manner to the ECB Leadership Team and Board and its committees on commercial, regulatory and internal governance matters, as well as regular monitoring of relevant policies protecting the organisation from litigation and reputational risk.

WHO WE ARE

The England and Wales Cricket Board is the national governing body for all cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level – from grassroots to professional.

We believe cricket is a force for good that can have an enduring impact on everyone’s lives and we have an ambitious strategy to inspire a generation to say ‘cricket is a game for me’. It provides great entertainment.It teaches important skills, both physical and social.It can help inclusion and social cohesion, bringing communities together.

The ECB welcomes applications from all backgrounds to ensure we deliver our Inspiring Generations strategy and fulfil our purpose to connect communities and improve lives through cricket.

OUR VALUES

• Run on respect. We ensure our game is based on fairness, respect and decency.
• Embrace enjoyment. We make sure everyone finds fun in the game.
• Build belonging. We actively include so everyone can find a place in the game.
• Progress with purpose. We stay open to change to keep the game moving forward.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF

• You want to make a difference.
• You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.
• You thrive on being a subject matter expert and enjoy using this knowledge to advise and influence senior leaders in all areas of your discipline.

YOU’LL BE DOING

• Sitting on the Executive Team, exercising judgement and ensuring that the Board and its committees and the Leadership Team understand their legal risk and take appropriate action aimed at ensuring that the ECB’s business and activities are compliant with all applicable legislation, and that the organisation’s reputation is protected.
• Working on, advising on and overseeing ECB commercial contracts, including sponsorship, staging, broadcasting, licensing, partnerships and funding agreements.
• Working on, overseeing and providing legal leadership across the areas of regulation setting including anti-discrimination, anti-corruption, anti-doping, cricket discipline and safeguarding.
• Advising on data protection matters and intellectual property.
• Advising on corporate governance policies and procedures including advisory work relating to the ECB Articles.
• Directing and managing any litigation in which the ECB is a party.
• Overseeing the selection, retention, management and evaluation of all external counsel.
• Responsible for the ECB’s legal risk management, identifying and mitigating legal risks and developing risk management strategies in relation to those.
• Provide employment law advice on employee matters and provide strategic direction on responses to employment claims/investigations.
• Collaboration with senior stakeholders across the organisation and network.

YOU’LL HAVE

• England and Wales qualified lawyer with substantial post qualification experience in private practice and/or in house.
• Ability to act as a trusted advisor at the highest levels of the organisation.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and disseminate information.
• Demonstrable ability to work in collaborative, fast-paced environment and make sound judgements under tight deadlines.
• Able to cope with pressurised situations and be credible to internal and external stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills.
• Willingness to take ownership of issues, all in pursuit of maintaining the integrity of ECB and enhancing the game of cricket.
• High levels of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Please note this role is being fully handled by Hedley May and any queries can be directed to the above contacts.