Senior Counsel (Contract)

Global Sports Jobs Limited; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Temporary role with no standard full‑t

Job summary

Major League Baseball (MLB) in New York City is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to structure, draft, and negotiate bespoke commercial agreements, with a focus on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial markets. You will support the Business Development team and interact with executives to guide strategic opportunities.

The role reports to the Senior Vice President and Head Counsel, Policy, Integrity & Compliance, and requires strong drafting, negotiation, and leadership

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school is required.
• Active NY State Bar admission or eligibility by Motion.
• Minimum of 5 years of practising legal experience.

Responsibilities

• Structure, draft, and lead negotiations for complex commercial agreements.
• Develop expertise on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated markets.
• Create standard templates and playbooks for MLB's Business Development team.
• Provide interpretation and strategic guidance on agreements and policies.
• Identify and mitigate legal, reputational, and operational risks for opportunities.
• Collaborate with Business Development to vet opportunities; manage outside counsel.

Skills

Drafting

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication (oral and written)

Education

J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school

Active New York State Bar member (or eligibility by Motion)

Job description

About the Role

The role sits within MLB's Legal Department and supports the Business Development team by structuring, drafting, and negotiating bespoke commercial agreements and managing high-stakes inbound contracts from diverse counterparties. It supports legal work for complex commercial transactions, preferably in gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial markets. The position reports directly to the Senior Vice President and Head Counsel, Policy, Integrity & Compliance within MLB's Legal Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Structure, draft, and lead negotiations for complex commercial agreements and other legal documents as required, with concentration in gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market transactions.
• Develop and maintain subject matter expertise on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market industry trends, regulations, and business models.
• Develop, revise, and maintain standardised positions, templates, and playbooks for current and emerging business lines managed by MLB's Business Development team.
• Provide interpretation, counsel, and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders with respect to all current agreements, policies, and governing documents, with particular focus on gaming, sports betting, and federally regulated financial market transactions.
• Proactively identify and mitigate legal, reputational, and operational risks inherent to emerging business opportunities and deliver decisive, clear, and business-minded risk assessments directly to executive leadership.
• Work collaboratively with MLB's Business Development team to vet potential business opportunities.
• Effectively manage outside counsel as necessary.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Active member in good standing of the New York State Bar or eligibility to gain Admission by Motion.
• Minimum of 5 years of practising legal experience.
• Strong command of contracts, intellectual property, and general corporate law.
• Advanced drafting, negotiating, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding organisational skills and project management competence with proven ability to recommend and implement process improvements and efficiencies.
• Strong oral and written communication (including editing) skills.
• Professional demeanour, organised, and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop strategies to prioritise complex legal issues under tight operational timelines.
• Ability to quickly build credibility and influence among executives, peers, and external stakeholders.

Preferred Skills

• Foundational training within a top-tier law firm or boutique corporate law firm.
• Extensive experience with licensed gaming, sports betting, and/or federally regulated financial markets.
• Interest and aptitude to take on leadership roles.

Workplace

• Based in New York City with in-office attendance five days per week.

Salary

The actual offer will consider a wide range of factors, including work experience, education, skills, and any other factors MLB considers relevant to the hiring decision.

Benefits & Perks

• This temporary role is not eligible for standard full-time employee benefits and bonuses.

About the Company

Employees who are most successful at MLB take initiative, identify problems and provide solutions, and always put the Team first.