Legal Counsel Associate

Professional Footballers' Association (PFA); Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major sports organization in Manchester is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide vital legal support across various issues. This full-time, hybrid role offers competitive compensation coupled with generous benefits. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of post-qualification experience in law, particularly in sports or commercial law. If you possess strong drafting skills and thrive under pressure, consider applying to join this dynamic legal team.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Generous benefits

Hybrid work arrangement

Qualifications

• 1-3 years' post qualification experience, preferably in private practice or sports.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Approachable, with a low-ego personality.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support across various matters for the PFA.
• Draft and negotiate contracts covering multiple areas.
• Offer advice on player representation regulations.

Skills

Commercial legal knowledge

Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements

Written and oral legal advice

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Overview

Purpose and scope — Position Type: Full-time. Location: Manchester office. This is a hybrid role (3 days in the office and 2 days WFH). Salary: Competitive remuneration package plus generous benefits. Closing Date: 23:59, Friday 13 February 2026.

The PFA is currently looking for a Legal Counsel, who will provide legal support to the PFA across a full range of legal matters. The Legal Counsel will work closely with the Director of Legal and three other members of the PFA Legal team and provide legal advice to a range of PFA internal departments. The Legal Counsel will have responsibility for their own files and matters but will also work collaboratively across the organisation as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering practical legal advice across the full range of the PFA’s legal requirements
• Drafting and negotiating a range of contracts in all areas of the PFA’s operations, including commercial/partnership agreements, funding agreements and supply/services agreements.
• Advising on the operation of football’s rules and regulations in the context of player representation, in relation to both Men’s and Women’s football, including youth advisory.
• Advising on data protection and intellectual property (including brand protection) issues.
• Advising on employment law matters relating to PFA members, including settlement agreements, disciplinaries, grievances, rule breaches and disputes.
• Executing additional or ad hoc tasks as required in order to meet the PFA’s changing priorities.

Essential skills and requirements

• Between one and three years’ post qualification experience (including relevant experience in private practice (preferably top national or international law firm) and/or experience at a sports organisation or club). Candidates outside this range with relevant skills and experience will be considered.
• Must be able to demonstrate a breadth of commercial legal knowledge and have experience of drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to demonstrate clear, concise and practical written and oral legal advice, which includes drafting, negotiating and interpreting a range of contracts and ancillary documents.
• Able to cope with pressurised situations and tight timeframes whilst maintaining a professional approach.
• Approachable and low-ego personality.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience of working in football, either in-house, secondment or having had football clients in private practice.
• Experience of data protection and intellectual property law.
• Additional language skills.

The PFA is an equal opportunities employer. Our employment policies for recruitment ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Satisfactory documentary evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with current legislative requirements will be requested.

As part of our commitment to ensuring a safe environment, you will need to complete an enhanced DBS check for this role.