Senior Counsel, Commercial and Business Affairs

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION 1•Atlanta, GA

17h

About The Position

The U.S. Soccer Federation aims to ignite a national passion for the game, believing that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. They work closely with partners and members to inspire, support, and guide every level of the game, from grassroots to National Teams, aiming to bring soccer into every home and community across America. U.S. Soccer is experiencing significant growth with ambitious plans and is seeking dynamic servant-leaders who demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style to build bold teams and deliver globally significant results. This role will provide comprehensive legal support to the Federation and its affiliates.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
JD from accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in at least one state and in good standing
7+ years’ experience working as an attorney at a leading law firm and/or in-house legal department; transactional and data privacy experience preferred
General knowledge of soccer
Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)

Nice To Haves

Strategic and innovative thinker
Business acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with commercial needs of U.S. Soccer
Exercises initiative and independent judgment; self-starter
Ability to manage a high volume of projects and contracts on short timeframes
Effective prioritization, adaptability, and ability to consistently meet deadlines
Excellent organizational skills
Team player
Honesty and integrity
Excellent writing and oral communication skills
Ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and functional teams
Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers in a small department
Clear understanding of the delineation of responsibilities between an attorney and a paralegal
Maintain confidentiality in work performed
High-level of attention to detail

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted legal advisor to senior business, commercial, marketing, media, and technology stakeholders on a wide range of corporate and sports-industry matters.
Lead the negotiation, drafting, and management of complex commercial agreements typical to the sports ecosystem, including sponsorships, technology licenses, vendors, independent contractors, professional services, events, and related operational agreements.
Draft, negotiate, and advise on commercial partnerships and strategic alliances, including sponsor, supplier, and ecosystem partner relationships, ensuring alignment with brand value, revenue objectives, and risk profile.
Advise on data privacy, technology, and information security matters impacting athlete, fan, member, and consumer data, including assessment of platforms, analytics tools, mobile applications, and digital engagement technologies, in compliance with applicable U.S. and international privacy laws and industry best practices.
Negotiate and draft data protection, data monetization, data sharing, and cybersecurity provisions in commercial, marketing, and technology agreements, and develop standardized templates and playbooks for scalable use.
Oversee and support management of the organization’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, brands, logos, and content, and advise on enforcement, licensing, and third-party rights clearance across commercial and marketing initiatives.
Provide legal guidance on sports media and content matters, including traditional broadcast, streaming, social media, digital platforms, athlete and influencer engagement, marketing campaigns, promotions, and advertising compliance.
Advise on legal issues associated with live events, competitions, fan engagement initiatives, and experiential marketing, including sponsorship activations, promotions, and sweepstakes.
Monitor and interpret evolving legal, regulatory, and industry developments affecting sports organizations, with an emphasis on data privacy, intellectual property, marketing/advertising rules, emerging technologies, and digital fan engagement.
Partner closely with internal teams to support fast-paced, high-visibility, and time-sensitive initiatives, translating business and commercial objectives into clear, practical, and enforceable agreements.
Collaborate across departments including commercial, marketing, media, technology, events, and operations to proactively identify and mitigate legal risk while enabling business growth and innovation.
Support strategic initiatives, special projects, and other duties as assigned, consistent with the evolving needs of a dynamic sports organization.