Legal Counsel Associate

The Professional Footballers Association; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports association in Manchester is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support across various matters. This hybrid role requires candidates with 1-3 years of post-qualification experience in commercial law. You will draft and negotiate contracts, advise on employment law, and engage in various legal discussions related to football. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work under pressure. Competitive remuneration and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Generous benefits

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ post qualification experience in legal practice or sports organisation.
• Ability to provide clear and concise legal advice.
• Experience with data protection and intellectual property law is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support across a range of PFA legal matters.
• Draft and negotiate contracts including commercial/partnership agreements.
• Advise on employment law matters related to PFA members.

Skills

Commercial legal knowledge

Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements

Ability to handle pressurized situations

Strong organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Organisation The Professional Footballers Association
Salary Competitive remuneration package plus generous benefits
Location Manchester office. This is a hybrid role (3 days in the office and 2 days WFH).

Purpose and Scope

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

• Deliver practical legal advice across the full range of the PFA’s legal requirements.
• Draft and negotiate a range of contracts in all areas of the PFA’s operations, including commercial/partnership agreements, funding agreements and supply/services agreements.
• Advise 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.
• Advise on data protection and intellectual property (including brand protection) issues.
• Advise on employment law matters relating to PFA members, including settlement agreements, disciplinaries, grievances, rule breaches and disputes.
• Execute additional or ad hoc tasks as required to meet the PFA’s changing priorities.

Skills and Requirements – Essential

• Between one and three years’ post qualification experience (including relevant experience in private practice and/or experience at a sports organisation or club). Candidates outside this range with relevant skills and experience will be considered.
• Demonstrate a breadth of commercial legal knowledge and experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Clear, concise and practical written and oral legal advice, including drafting, negotiating and interpreting a range of contracts and ancillary documents.
• Cope with pressurised situations and tight timeframes while maintaining a professional approach.
• Approachable and low-ego personality.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.

Skills and Requirements – 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.

Equal Opportunities

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.