Head of Legal

An exciting job opportunity has arisen at Leeds United FC for a Head of Legal based at our stunning Elland Road Stadium.

Leeds United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire and play at our fabulous stadium based on Elland Road, which has been the home of Leeds United since 1919 and remains one of English football's great theatres and is 'the only place for us' ever since.

Everyone at Leeds United is dedicated to working as one team and to be the best we can be.

Come be part of our fabulous team as we March on Together.

This is an opportunity for a pragmatic, entrepreneurial and hard-working individual to co-create a winning business culture and contribute to the success of one of the region’s most beloved sports teams. 

The position is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The role represents the Club across all legal areas of the business with a particular focus on regulatory matters, player/agent/club transfer contracts, commercial agreements and real estate matters.

Job Purpose / Role & Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support to LUFC and Leeds United Foundation on all legal, regulatory and public policy matters.
• Work closely alongside the club’s business and football functions and give clear, pragmatic advice on a wide range of commercial, operational, and sporting matters, with a particular focus on areas such as technology, sponsorship, retail, marketing, premium hospitality services, ticketing, event management and media rights as well as transfer agreements and regulatory disputes.
• Draft, negotiate, and review various types of contracts for the Club including vendor contracts, event participation agreements, intellectual property licenses, sponsorship agreements, leases, media license agreements and player/coach contracts. 
• Manage outside counsel, including determining when their assistance is required and supervising the work and budget for such work. 
• Advise the Board of Directors, CEO and Senior Leadership Team on governance and legal matters impacting LUFC’s operations.    
• Represent LUFC with government and industry officials on legal issues related to LUFC’s operations.    
• Identify and mitigate legal risk to protect the Club from undue legal exposure, liability and significant financial loss while facilitating achievement of strategic and operational objectives of Board and management.    
• Provide services related to the corporate structure of LUFC and its affiliates, including but not limited to the creation of new legal entities.   
• Oversee litigation and relevant regulative, legislative and policy matters. 
• Manage LUFC’s trademark portfolio, including monitoring use of the Club’s intellectual property (including but not limited to the Club’s name, logo, tag line and member data), and enforce compliance where appropriate.  
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• 10+ year PQE qualified and licensed as a solicitor or barrister in England or Wales.   
• Prior experience at a leading city or regional law firm is desirable. Experience in-house is a plus.  A top candidate will be aided by demonstrating experience of a broad range of commercial transactions, preferably within sports and entertainment with a knowledge of football regulations, player/agent/club contracts, employment law, IP and GDPR;
• Managing relationships with and providing guidance to a diverse group of senior executives and a board;
• Organized self-starter who can create processes while remaining flexible.
• Ability to exercise pragmatic, consistent, sound, and independent judgment.  
• Independent creative thinker who is entrepreneurial, open to managing risk with ability to challenge the status quo when needed.  
• Highly developed skills in communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership.  

What We Look For In A Team Member:

• Inspires others and is a positive role model 
• Is personable and able to connect and build relationships with others easily 
• Demands high standards and has an attention to detail 
• Strong organisational and time management skills 
• Self-motivated 
• Ability to work effectively under own initiative and also as a member of a team. 
• Hands-on approach with a can-do attitude. 
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced ever-changing environment. 
• Ability to remain calm under pressure. 
• Ability to anticipate and prioritise workload. 
• Understanding of the club’s commitment to EDI & Safeguarding

Hours and Location of Work

37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm) with some flexibility to meet specific business needs required.  Expectation that the majority of working time will be spend at Elland Road.

Equality & Diversity

As we are a diverse organisation that respects differences in race, ethnicity, religion or belief(s), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or with regards to pregnancy or maternity, we welcome all applications. We want everyone to feel valued and included in the football community and to achieve their full potential. Leeds United is opposed to any form of discrimination and commits itself to the redress of any inequalities by taking positive action where appropriate.

Safeguarding & Recruitment

Leeds United FC are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expect all staff to share this commitment. All staff, whatever their role will receive safeguarding training and will be expected to champion the culture of 'safeguarding is everybody's responsibility'.