Senior Business Counsel (Hybrid)

NFL Players, Inc. (licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association) is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Senior Business Counsel to join our Business and Legal Affairs team!  The Business and Legal Affairs department supports NFL Players Inc. on legal matters pertaining to the licensing, marketing, and other revenue generating initiatives.

Senior Business Counsel candidates should have a JD from an accredited law school and possess an active and unrestricted license to practice in at least one state bar association with the ability to be licensed in Washington, DC. Other requirements include a minimum of seven years’ experience in corporate governance, commercial litigation, contracts, intellectual property, and commercial transactions. Qualified candidates should also have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills as well as a strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Oversee and manage all aspects of litigation, including developing and executing litigation strategies, coordinating with internal teams and external counsel, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and legal objectives.
• Support VP of Business and Legal Affairs in managing annual legal budget, in-house staff, and multiple outside counsel and lobbyists.
• Responsible for delivering expert and authoritative legal advice to all departments on litigation, intellectual property, licensing, new technology, general business and equity transactions, NFL policies on endorsements, and corporate governance matters.   
• Manage, negotiate, and execute all facets of complex corporate transactions, including preliminary advice, structuring, due diligence, negotiating, drafting, closing, integration and post-closing conflict resolution.  
• Supervise the drafting, review, and revision of all manner of contracts for Players Inc., and NFLPA (as necessary) including licensing, marketing & endorsement, player activations, equity, vendor services, consultant agreements, hotel, venue and event agreements, security and IT, MOUs and partnerships and entertainment agreements.
• Support VP of Business and Legal Affairs in corporate governance matters, including preparation of Board of Directors materials and filings. 
• Advise on regulatory compliance matters and corporate policies. 
• Assist in managing venture investment portfolio, which may include tracking company valuations and updates, and overseeing relationships and maintaining regular communication with portfolio partners. 
• Work with other players associations and/or unions on matters of shared legal importance.  
• Develop, recommend, and implement new procedures for office activities to better improve efficiencies and productivity, including on cross-departmental integrations (e.g., OneTeam Partners operations, finance, IT, and other internal processes).
• Direct special projects and collaborate with business development team to identify, assess and advise on new business opportunities, deal structure, ROI goals, and strategic growth.
• Support in organization-wide risk mitigation efforts to protect the NFLPA/NFLPI and Player Membership at every level.   
• Represent organization at various local and national speaking engagements.  

The NFL Players Association is the Union representing all active NFL players. Over 60 years ago, NFL players approached owners with a list of demands, including clean socks and jocks. The fight that ensued over issues ranging from fair wages, safe working conditions and basic employee benefits formed the foundation for what is now the NFL Players Association. We serve as the voice of the players, ensuring that they are more than just employees and have a seat at the collective bargaining table as partners in the most popular and highest revenue-generating sport in America.  Please visit our website to learn more about the organization: www.nflpa.com. 

In addition to competitive salaries and comprehensive benefit package, the NFLPA also offers a fun, learning culture and hybrid work environment. All full-time employees are required to work onsite in our Washington, DC a minimum of three days a week.

**please include cover letter with resume**