Legal Counsel (12 month fixed term contract) in London

About The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph). Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its sixth season. SailGP also races for a better future, championing a world powered by nature. Underpinning the organization’s purpose-driven agenda is a diversification of the league, with the goal of immediately progressing gender equity and inclusivity. SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team – Deliver Quality and Consistency; Evolve with Focus; Make it Count; Stand Together and Strike a Balance.

Job Summary SailGP is seeking a legal counsel to join its legal team on a 12 month FTC. 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 2-4 PQE. The role will ideally commence at the beginning of May 2026.

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 organisers’ 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 of 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.

Background Qualifications

• 2-4 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 regularly.

Location West London. 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, equity and inclusion.