Football & Commercial Lawyer

Provides commercially focused legal advice and support to the Club's football and commercial operations, supporting delivery of its objectives through effective legal assistance on key commercial transactions, football matters and wider business initiatives. It sits within the Football & Commercial Legal team and assists with a broad range of projects and transactions across the Club's football and commercial functions. The successful candidate works closely with internal stakeholders to provide practical legal support that balances legal risk with commercial and operational considerations.

• Provide commercially focused legal advice and support to the Club's football and commercial operations, supporting delivery of its objectives through effective legal assistance on key commercial transactions, football matters and wider business initiatives.
• Assist with a broad range of projects and transactions across the Club's football and commercial functions, working closely with internal stakeholders to provide practical legal support that balances legal risk with commercial and operational considerations.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on a broad range of commercial agreements supporting the Club's global business, including sponsorship and commercial partnership agreements
• Media, broadcasting and content distribution agreements
• Merchandise, retail and product licensing agreements
• And agreements relating to tours, friendly matches and other events.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on football-related matters across the men's, women's and academy teams, including playing contracts and image rights agreements; domestic and international transfers and loan transactions; academy recruitment matters; and football regulatory matters.
• Provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to stakeholders across the Club's commercial, media, retail and football functions.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across football and commercial functions and act as a trusted adviser to the business.
• Support the development of in-house expertise and knowledge and training programmes.

• Strong experience of drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial contracts, including sponsorship, licensing, media or other similar complex commercial arrangements.
• Sound understanding of non-contentious intellectual property matters.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands, manage a varied workload and deliver high-quality advice under time pressure.
• Ability to build strong relationships across the Club and establish credibility as a trusted adviser, able to influence stakeholders and inspire confidence.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, providing technically sound and commercially focused legal advice.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and balance legal, commercial, operational and reputational considerations when advising stakeholders.
• Commitment to being service-oriented and flexible, with the capability to manage multiple workstreams under tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively, explaining legal principles in clear, straightforward terms.
• Ability to balance accurate legal advice with practical, commercially focused solutions, maintaining composure under pressure and tight deadlines, and when working on matters which may have a significant media profile and time pressures.
• Motivation to work within one of the world's leading sports organisations.

• An understanding of the commercial and regulatory environment of professional football.
• Experience of media and content distribution agreements.

• Manchester United offices

• Annual Incentive Scheme to reward dedication and hard work.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days.
• Electric Vehicle scheme via Octopus and cycle to work scheme.
• Health Cash Plan supporting everyday healthcare needs.
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace.
• Exclusive Discounts through the United Rewards platform, giving access to exclusive deals from the club and partners.
• Gym Facilities in onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities.
• Enhanced family Leave Benefits and policies.
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programmes.
• A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth.