Legal Counsel

About SailGP is racing redefined. The sport’s pinnacle league, SailGP was established in 2018 and is headquartered in London with offices around the world. The annual, global championship aims to Race for the Future by showcasing the power of nature and accelerating change. The fan-centric, inshore racing takes place among the sport’s top athletes in some of the most iconic harbours around the world, and offers the sport’s largest monetary prize of $1 million. Rival national teams battle it out in identical supercharged F50 catamarans, engineered for intense racing at electrifying speeds exceeding 60 mph/100 kph. In 2020, SailGP set a new standard as the first climate positive sports and entertainment property, and began delivering actions and innovations that advance the global adoption of clean energy. Underpinning the organization’s purpose-driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and racial inclusivity. SailGP is a global organization with defined values that shape the culture of its diverse team: deliver the best, break boundaries, leave a legacy, stand together and strike a balance.

Job Summary SailGP is seeking a legal counsel to join its legal team. Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, the lawyer will provide support on a range of legal issues across the world for SailGP. This London-based position (with the option to work flexibly/remotely as required) is suited to a lawyer with 4+ PQE.

Key Responsibilities

• Assisting the SailGP Legal Team in delivering legal services to the Global SailGP business.
• Handling a varied workload with the core work being focused on commercial contracts, but also covering IP, sponsorship, media and broadcast, licensing, data protection, employment and immigration, litigation and property.
• Liaising with external counsel where necessary on local law issues or on areas of specialist legal advice.
• Core areas of focus are:

• Negotiating commercial contracts.
• Assisting SailGP’s Event organizers’ with the hosting of SailGP events, including agreements for local infrastructure, immigration issues, IP, commercial contracts, property and licensing.

• Negotiating broadcast sales agreements with linear and non-linear broadcasters around the world.
• Assisting the commercial team with agreements for sponsorship of SailGP and the events and teams and on activation of such contracts.
• Advising on staff contracts and employment law issues across the world.
• Advising on collection, storage, protection and use of personal data.
• Establishment of corporate entities and assisting with governance of those entities to match SailGP expansion.
• Drafting and advising on competition terms and conditions.

As the role requires the coverage of a diverse range of subject areas, it does not require the candidate to have expertise in all. The candidate should be able to issue spot, obtain expert advice where necessary and provide practical, pragmatic advice to the SailGP business to meet business needs.

Key Expectations

• Champion an inclusive environment where diversity is valued.
• Advocate and promote SailGP Values and contribute to a positive culture.
• Operate with a financially responsible mindset and strive for the commercial sustainability of SailGP.
• Consider how each team action contributes to Better Sport, Better Planet.

Background Qualifications

• 4+ PQE.
• Commercial contracts experience.
• Some experience in one or more of employment law, data protection, broadcast and licensing and sponsorship agreements helpful.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interest in sports and a working knowledge of how sports properties operate.

Attributes

• Willingness to take on any task, even outside comfort zone.
• Ability to operate both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Passionate with a desire to exceed expectations.
• Good organisation, prioritisation and project management skills.
• Good attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively and thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Culturally sensitive and able to effectively work globally.
• Willingness to attend the London office 3 days per week.

Location Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the London Office. SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion.