Legal Counsel - Commercial

Join The FA as our next Legal Counsel and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football. We're looking for a proactive legal expert to provide strategic guidance and hands‑on support across a wide range of commercial matters within The FA. This is your opportunity to influence key decisions, tackle complex challenges, and make a real impact in one of the most exciting industries in the world.

Please include a cover letter with your application, which must include the following:

• Why you would like to work for The FA
• An example of when your input has enabled the commercial objectives of a business/project to be achieved.

• Deliver practical legal advice across all The FA's commercial activities, including:
  • Significant revenue‑generating commercial agreements, for example sponsorship, partnership and licensing agreements;
    
    Broadcasting, content and media agreements;
  • Venue hire and event staging agreements (including agreements with promoters for the use of Wembley Stadium);
  • Agreements which support The FA's digital transformation project;
  • A broad range of high‑value and strategic procurement contracts (supply/service agreements), software licenses, SaaS agreements, data processing agreements and data licenses;
  • Funding agreements;
  • Competition terms and conditions.
• The commercial team also provides advice and support on the FA's intellectual property portfolio and brand protection issues.
• You will work closely with the Head of Commercial & Data Protection, The FA's General Counsel and the rest of the Legal & Governance Division.
• When required, you will engage with external law firms.
• Support the department's innovation project, which includes developing legal processes and implementing legal tech.
• Execute additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well‑being can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

Essential for the role:

• Strong academic background and robust legal training.
• At least 4 years' PQE working as a qualified solicitor. However, candidates with relevant skill sets and qualifications will be considered regardless of PQE.
• Must be able to demonstrate a breadth of commercial legal knowledge gathered in a major law firm and/or corporate organisation.
• 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 (e.g. tenders).
• Able to cope with pressurised situations and tight time frames whilst maintaining a professional approach.

Beneficial to have:

• Previous in‑house experience (for example, a secondment).
• Previous experience working in a sports context.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating sponsorship agreements.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating broadcasting/media rights agreements.
• Experience in intellectual property law.

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles, to achieve this we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world‑class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high‑performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves in offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encouraging you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well‑being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Free private…