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- Tasks: Provide legal support and advice across various PFA legal matters.
- Company: Join the Professional Footballers' Association in a dynamic legal role.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous benefits, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sports industry while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: 1-3 years post qualification experience in commercial law, preferably in sports.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester office. This is a hybrid role (3 days in the office and 2 days WFH).
Salary: Competitive remuneration package plus generous benefits
Closing Date: 23:59, Friday 13 February 2026
Position Type: Full-time
Purpose and Scope
The PFA is currently looking for a Legal Counsel, who will provide legal support to the PFA across a full range of legal matters. The Legal Counsel will work closely with the Director of Legal and three other members of the PFA Legal team and provide legal advice to a range of PFA internal departments. The Legal Counsel will have responsibility for their own files and matters but will also work collaboratively across the organisation as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering practical legal advice across the full range of the PFA’s legal requirements
- Drafting and negotiating a range of contracts in all areas of the PFA’s operations, including commercial/partnership agreements, funding agreements and supply/services agreements
- Advising on the operation of football’s rules and regulations in the context of player representation, in relation to both Men’s and Women’s football, including youth advisory
- Advising on data protection and intellectual property (including brand protection) issues
- Advising on employment law matters relating to PFA members, including settlement agreements, disciplinaries, grievances, rule breaches and disputes
- Executing additional or ad hoc tasks as required in order to meet the PFA’s changing priorities
Essential Skills and Requirements
- Between one and three years’ post qualification experience (including relevant experience in private practice (preferably top national or international law firm) and/or experience at a sports organisation or club). Candidates outside this range with relevant skills and experience will be considered.
- Must be able to demonstrate a breadth of commercial legal knowledge and have experience of drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
- 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.
- Able to cope with pressurised situations and tight timeframes whilst maintaining a professional approach.
- Approachable and low-ego personality.
- Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
- High level of integrity and confidentiality.
Desirable
- Experience of working in football, either in-house, secondment or having had football clients in private practice.
- Experience of data protection and intellectual property law.
- Additional language skills.
The PFA is an equal opportunities employer. Our employment policies for recruitment ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Satisfactory documentary evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with current legislative requirements will be requested. As part of our commitment to ensuring a safe environment, you will need to complete an enhanced DBS check for this role.
Legal Counsel - Associate in Manchester employer: Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)
Contact Detail:
Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Associate in Manchester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those involved in sports law. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interview by researching the PFA and understanding their legal needs. Think about how your experience aligns with their requirements and be ready to discuss specific examples. We want to see your passion for football and how you can contribute to the team!
✨Show Off Your Skills
During interviews or networking, highlight your experience with drafting and negotiating contracts, especially in sports. Bring up any relevant cases or projects you've worked on. We love to see candidates who can demonstrate their practical legal knowledge and skills!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to make a difference in the world of sports law.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Associate in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial law and any specific knowledge of football regulations. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Legal Skills: When writing your application, emphasise your ability to draft and negotiate contracts. Include examples of your past work that demonstrate your clear and concise legal advice. This is your chance to shine, so let us know what you can bring to the table!
Be Professional Yet Approachable: We value a low-ego personality, so while you should maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to show a bit of your personality. Let us see the real you and how you’d fit into our team culture!
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us directly, apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application in the right light. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at the PFA!
How to prepare for a job interview at Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your legal knowledge, especially around commercial agreements and employment law. Be ready to discuss specific cases or examples from your experience that showcase your ability to provide practical legal advice.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves collaboration with various departments, highlight your teamwork skills. Prepare examples of how you've worked effectively in a team setting, particularly in high-pressure situations, to demonstrate your approachable and low-ego personality.
✨Be Ready for the Football Angle
Familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations of football, especially regarding player representation. If you have any experience in the sports sector, be sure to bring it up during the interview to show your passion for the industry.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
As a Legal Counsel, clear communication is key. Practice articulating complex legal concepts in simple terms. You might even want to prepare a mock negotiation scenario to showcase your drafting and negotiating skills during the interview.
