Director, Legal Counsel

National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As we continue to expand and elevate the profile of professional women's soccer in the United States, we are seeking to fill a Counsel role on our Legal team. This individual will provide day-to-day legal support across a broad range of matters and collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and proactive, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated attorney to gain experience in a dynamic legal and business setting while contributing to the continued success and integrity of the League.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school
• 3+ years of sophisticated legal experience, with a preference for candidates from a top-tier law firm’s labor/employment or litigation practice or an in-house legal department with a labor, litigation or employment focus.
• Ability to draft complex agreements and policies from scratch, write clear and persuasive communications, moving beyond templates to create legal frameworks that support a rapidly scaling business.
• Tech-forward proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume workflows and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, "startup-like" environment without sacrificing attention to detail.
• A track record of building strong relationships with non-legal business units (e.g., Marketing, HR, Soccer Ops) to provide practical, actionable legal advice.
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive matters with the utmost professionalism and discretion.
• A demonstrated passion for the growth and professionalization of women’s sports

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Counsel, Legal in the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of the League’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• Advise internal stakeholders on labor relations issues to ensure consistent application of League rules and CBA provisions.
• Assist in the grievance process, including conducting preliminary fact-finding, drafting responses, and preparing materials for arbitration hearings.
• Assist in managing the litigation lifecycle, including drafting discovery responses, coordinating document production, and liaising with outside counsel.
• Conduct in-depth legal research on topics as necessary, including emerging labor and employment law trends to provide proactive risk mitigation advice.
• Contribute to the drafting, review, and updating of League policies, handbooks, and other rules to ensure they remain current and enforceable.
• Assist Legal Department and League Safety in managing and conducting internal investigations regarding employment-related or rule-based misconduct.
• Assist Senior Counsel, Legal in managing the vetting and background check process for prospective employees, contractors, and other League-affiliated personnel to ensure alignment with League standards and safety protocols.
• Manage immigration matters and work authorization workflows, including visa processing for international personnel/athletes, in coordination with outside immigration counsel.
• Monitor compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as League-specific risk management and insurance requirements.
• Assist in other legal matters, such as League-wide litigation, as necessary.
• Collaborate on cross-functional League projects, providing legal support to departments such as HR, Operations, and Security.
• Assist in developing and delivering training presentations to League staff and member clubs regarding workplace conduct, CBA compliance, and reporting protocols.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: $170,000 - $190,000
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), sick days, and an end-of-year office closure.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health benefits for employees and dependents.
• 401k with employer match and safe harbor contributions.
• Commuter benefits
• Short/Long-Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Gym On-Site
• Voluntary Pet Insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree