Head of Legal – Governance & Regulatory
Location: Old Trafford Stadium
At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals.
We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate individuals who share our vision and drive for success.
Our Culture & Values
Here at Manchester United, we place great emphasis on a culture of connection, respect, and teamwork. We expect our colleagues to be champions of growth—constantly evolving, pushing boundaries, and collaborating across all areas of the business to keep us at the top of our game. Before applying, take a moment to reflect on our Manchester United values. If you’re driven by the pursuit of excellence, passionate about football, and eager to be part of something bigger, we’d love for you to join us.
The Purpose:
The Head of Legal – Governance & Regulatory will report directly to the General Counsel and serve as a member of the senior management team within the Legal & Business Affairs department. This role requires a seasoned professional with experience operating at a senior level. The ideal candidate will excel in a fast-paced, high-profile environment, demonstrating strategic leadership and the ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges with confidence and precision.
The Role:
You will have the following key responsibilities:
1. Take primary responsibility for overseeing Manchester United’s governance and compliance processes.
2. Maintain and develop Manchester United’s internal policies, and oversee and monitor compliance with the same, including Manchester United’s governance controls (based on a policy of delegated authorities) and policies concerning ethics, anti-bribery and competition law.
3. Conduct reviews and analysis of changes to the regulatory framework governing the football competitions in which Manchester United participates, and ensure relevant internal stakeholders are kept informed of such changes.
4. Lead from a legal perspective (or support the General Counsel) on discrete projects as they arise, including corporate transactions and responses to major incidents.
5. Oversee and project manage litigation and other contentious matters.
6. Identify, build business cases for, and implement technology solutions that enhance the efficiency and performance of the Legal & Business Affairs team.
7. Manage or assist with company secretarial responsibilities for the UK entities within the Manchester United group.
8. Support the General Counsel in managing and liaising with external legal service providers.
9. Provide resource resilience across the Legal & Business Affairs team, which may include football-related transactional work, commercial projects, and operational matters.
The Person:
You will be a qualified solicitor with experience operating at a senior level and collaborating with colleagues from across a business who are subject matter experts and operate in a variety of different roles. The ideal candidate will thrive in a time-sensitive and high-profile environment and enjoy being part of and contributing to a forward-looking and team-orientated department. You will need to be able to quickly assess situations and react in a calm, focused and pragmatic manner to a wide range of challenges that come from working as a lawyer in a professional football club.
Key Areas of Experience:
Candidates should have experience in some or all the following:
1. Drafting and negotiating a variety of commercial contracts.
2. Non-contentious intellectual property matters.
3. Overseeing regulatory compliance and managing risk.
Experience working within a regulatory environment in sport, as well as an understanding of the commercial aspects of football, is preferred but not essential. The role may also include managing external counsel or supporting colleagues on data protection matters, and so a strong understanding of this area would be beneficial.
Essential Requirements:
Candidates must:
1. Have a strong academic record and be fully qualified to practice in the UK, being able to demonstrate significant experience of working as a senior member of a reputable law firm or in-house team.
2. Be able to work both independently and as part of a team, providing technically sound and commercially focused legal advice.
3. Be committed, service-oriented, and flexible, with the capability to manage multiple workstreams under tight deadlines.
4. Communicate effectively across all areas of the business, explaining legal principles in clear, straightforward terms.
5. Balance accurate legal advice with practical, commercially focused solutions, maintaining composure under pressure and tight deadlines.
6. Be motivated to work for a globally renowned brand and sporting team.
What We Offer:
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:
1. Performance-based annual bonus to reward your dedication and hard work.
2. Wellness support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace.
3. Exclusive discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners.
4. Gym facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities.
5. Enhanced family leave benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days.
6. Complimentary lunch & parking at our onsite office locations and supplementary offers for our London office.
7. Enhanced career development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs.
8. A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth.
Our Commitment to You:
At Manchester United, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Ready to Join Us?
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Monday 27th January 2025.
Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks.
If you need any adjustments to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles. Your personal data will be processed on MU’s behalf by Korn Ferry.
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