Vice President, Legal

Sky Blue FC - National Women's Soccer League; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is seeking an Associate Counsel to provide legal support across various matters. This role offers a chance to work with a growing organization in the sports industry, ensuring compliance and addressing legal issues while supporting the NWSL's mission to elevate women's soccer in the U.S. Ideal candidates should possess a J.D. and extensive experience in labor law, demonstrating strong organizational and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 8-12 years of relevant legal experience in a top-tier law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Expertise in labor and employment law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong ability to build cross-functional relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance and administration of the League's collective bargaining agreement.
• Manage legal requirements related to the League's People and Culture function.
• Conduct investigations related to workplace discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players in the world. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially, with 2024 attendance topping 2 million fans for the first time- the third straight year the league surpassed 1 million in total attendance. Viewership across all broadcast media partners - Amazon, CBS, ESPN and Scripps - was up 285% year over year, and team valuations continue to soar. This growth underscores the league's expanding fan base and growing presence in both the sports media landscape and in pop culture. The future of the NWSL has never looked brighter.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is experiencing extraordinary growth, revolutionizing the sports landscape and redefining the reach of women's sports. With expansion into new markets, record-breaking attendance, and unprecedented viewership, NWSL is poised for even greater commercial success. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is growing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global sports landscape. As we continue to expand and elevate the profile of professional women's soccer in the United States, we are seeking an Associate Counsel to join our Legal team. This individual will provide day-to-day legal support across a broad range of matters and collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Position Description

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Vice President, Legal will provide general legal support to the NWSL with a focus on labor and employment, investigations and employee safety. The ideal candidate is intelligent, hardworking, and self-starting, reliable, organized, and can manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee compliance and administration of the League's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), manage the relationship with the NWSLPA and address associated legal and labor matters including the grievance process.
• Manage legal requirements and provide business advice related to the League's People and Culture function.
• Manage and conduct investigations related to violations of the League Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying, other employment-related investigations, and investigations regarding violations of other League rules.
• Oversee the Office of League Safety
• Support CLO in overseeing all League litigation.
• Assist in developing, updating, and interpreting League rules, policies, and procedures across all aspects of the business.
• Support risk management initiatives and oversee insurance policy administration.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve legal policies, workflows, and document templates, driving efficiency and consistency across legal operations.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 8-12 years of relevant legal experience in a top-tier law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Demonstrated expertise in labor and employment law, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and serve as a trusted advisor across various business units.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with remote teams and stakeholders.
• High ethical standards with a commitment to integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Google Docs).
• Willingness to work non-traditional hours as needed to meet business needs.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and contract management skills.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Salary: $195,000.00 -250,000.00

NWSL observes a hybrid work schedule of three working days in the physical office and two remote working days.

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.