Legal Counsel

Southampton FC; Kingston upon Hull; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent football club is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal advice across all club operations. The ideal candidate will have 3-4 years PQE and strong skills in negotiation and compliance. This role involves drafting contracts, managing legal risks, and supporting junior staff. A generous benefits package is included, such as free match tickets and a contributory pension scheme.

Benefits

Access to x2 free match tickets for every home league game

Mental & Physical Health initiatives

Discounted merchandise

26 days holiday plus birthday off

Contributory Pension Scheme

Worldwide Travel Insurance

Learning & Development opportunities

Free onsite parking

Cycle to Work Scheme

Collaborative & inclusive culture

Qualifications

• 3-4 years PQE in relevant legal fields.
• Ability to advise across various legal issues.
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead provision of legal advice to club operations.
• Negotiate commercial contracts and agreements.
• Monitor and report compliance risks to General Counsel.

Skills

Legal advice

Risk assessment

Drafting skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister in the UK

Job description

Be part of our journey...

Location: St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Criminal Record Check: DBS Basic

What is the role?

As Southampton Football Club’s Legal Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting the General Counsel by leading and delivering commercially focused legal advice across all areas of the Group's operations. Your expertise will help drive proactive risk mitigation and prevention, ensuring the club operates with strategic legal insight and compliance at its core. You will manage and support a Paralegal, providing mentorship, training, and guidance to help them excel in their role and develop their legal expertise.

What will you be doing?

This role will lead and manage the provision of commercially focused legal advice to all areas of Southampton Football Club’s Group operations, including the negotiation of commercial contracts, technology agreements, terms and conditions, consultancy, scouting, research, agency and sponsorship agreements. This will also involve negotiating with third party suppliers and external lawyers as and when required.

In this role, you will provide strategic legal advice to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and football regulations. You will proactively identify opportunities to enhance existing practices and improve efficiencies.

The role will advise internal clients on a wide range of legal and commercial risks, assess potential impacts, and propose practical, business-focused solutions.

Assisting the General Counsel by establishing and implementing a robust system of internal control to cover legal, regulatory and risk aspects that impact Group operations from a corporate, commercial and football perspective.

Additionally, you will monitor and report internal and external compliance risks to the General Counsel, ensuring regulatory best practices are upheld. You will also support the regulatory and compliance function, providing advice on specialist areas such as competition, data privacy, anti-bribery, and corruption.

To enhance legal operations, you will assist in developing legal precedents and improving contract management systems to drive efficiencies within the Group and legal team. This role requires a proactive, commercially minded legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, ensuring the club operates with strategic foresight, compliance, and legal excellence.

Is this you?

• Qualified as a solicitor or barrister in the UK with at least 3-4 years PQE.

• Ability to advise on a diverse range of legal issues and eager and willing to develop and tackle new areas of law with confidence.

• Ability to give strategic and commercially focussed legal advice and confidence in providing risk-based opinions or solutions on key issues.

• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.

• Able to deliver work effectively under pressure.

• Excellent communications skills and a willingness to develop strong relationships. across all business areas and levels of seniority.

• Good team player with ability to coach junior members of staff.

How this benefits you…

If you are successful, you can look forward to a healthy benefits package;

• Access to x2 free match tickets for every home league game

• Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health).

• Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.

• 26 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.

• Contributory Pension Scheme.

• Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family.

• Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.

• Free onsite parking.

• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Collaborative & inclusive working culture.

How can I apply?

Just click on the apply button below, enter your details and answer a quick pre-screening questionnaire, then attach your CV.

The closing date for applications is 22 August 2025.

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.*