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Legal Counsel
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)
Governing body for the national sport of Wales. Leading Welsh rugby to the forefront of the global game in performance and reputation. Developing grass-roots rugby, increasing participation, supporting clubs and bringing communities together.
Job Posted- 3 Jun 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- Wales
Closing date- 16 Jun 2026
As a key member of the WRU Legal Team, the Legal Counsel will be responsible for negotiating and drafting a wide range of legal documentation and agreements across a broad range of disciplines. In this role, you will provide timely, high-calibre legal advice to internal and external stakeholders.
This role will support WRU Group compliance in relation to data protection – requiring an individual who is adept at managing data protection workstreams while also handling broader commercial and regulatory matters.
Closing Date: Tuesday 16th June 2026
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000
The Person
- A solicitor qualified in England and Wales with at least three years post-qualification experience is essential.
- Demonstrate experience in negotiating and drafting commercial contracts with sound commercial awareness.
- Excellent IT skills, specially Microsoft package
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential
- Strong interpersonal and relationship management
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance
- Ability to communicate and work through the medium of Welsh is desirable.
The Role
- Work as a trusted member of the Legal team to negotiate and draft all necessary legal documentation, ensuring comprehensive legal advice is provided on a broad range of contractual and commercial matters (including sponsorship agreements, rugby competition and regulatory matters, rugby licences, match agreements, funding agreements, venue hire and event hosting, stadium agreements for major events, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing agreements, hospitality box licences, filming and location agreements, influencer agreements, supply and service agreements, ticket terms and conditions, ground regulations, employment, consultancy and internship matters, data protection, intellectual property and brand protection).
- Enhance (and where directed, lead on) WRU Group compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR by offering specialist expertise in data protection legislation, policy review, breach and reporting procedures, data subject access requests, privacy policy requirements, and internal training initiatives. To include supporting the data & digital team and IT team with new initiatives and ongoing compliance.
- Assist with WRU Group corporate compliance matters, including supply chain management, codes of conduct, anti-bribery and corruption, Modern Slavery Act statements, the Criminal Finances Act, Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and other legislative requirements.
- Assist with WRU Group legal advisory work as required, including property, corporate, banking, dispute resolution and litigation matters.
- Assist with WRU Group litigation matters where directed, including liaising with external counsel, insurers and assisting with legal disclosure / procedural matters.
- Review and update relevant WRU Group policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with legal and business requirements.
- Act as the primary legal point of contact for various areas of the organisation on diverse legal issues, as directed by the General Counsel.
- Collaborate with World Rugby, Six Nations, British and Irish Lions, Nations Championships, GB7s, Women’s XV, Celtic Challenge, competition organisers, and other Rugby Unions/federations on relevant projects and/or where legal guidance is required, including Terms of Participation in various tournaments and leagues.
- Assist in the management of external counsel on legal matters as required under the direction of the General Counsel.
- Review, update and maintain precedent documentation. Contribute to the building of the WRU Group precedent and know-how bank and developing template agreements (with guidance notes) for use by the business.
- Assist Company Secretary with statutory requirements and other company secretarial matters for the WRU Group as directed.
- Assist in the supervision of secondees / junior members of the team where applicable.
- Support the development and delivery of internal legal training across the organisation, including new-starter inductions and on roll-out of template documentation.
- Carry out duties to support the ‘One Wales’ strategy, including the club incorporations projects and shared services initiatives.
- Undertake duties that support the WRU Group Strategic Mission, Purpose, and Values
WRU Requirements
The WRU require that individuals are proficient in IT skills, specifically Microsoft packages. Excellent written and verbal communications are essential, along with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and a Valid UK Driver's License is desirable. This role is subject to a basic/enhanced DBS check.
The Perks
As a permanent member of the WRU Group, you will have access to our full range of employee benefits, including:
- Salary Sacrifice Pension (5% employee contribution, matched by WRU)
- Life assurance scheme
- WRU Group Ticket Allocation (in line with ticketing policy)
- One additional paid day off (birthday leave)
- Employee assistance programme
- Team Tactics – hybrid working arrangements
- Free stadium parking and gym
- WRU Group store and tour discounts
- WRU Group partnership offers
- Eye Care Voucher Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Our Values
The WRU Group are committed to developing a culture whereby all employees are equally valued and respected. Our aims, together with our vision and mission, are underpinned by our core values and beliefs which embrace: Integrity, Excellence, Success, Courage, Family & Humour.
Inclusion At The WRU
The WRU Group are committed to building diverse, high-performing and engaged teams across Welsh Rugby. We are ambitious about providing a people first culture where everyone can belong, be heard and respected. We are happy to talk to you about our Crys I Bawb EDI Strategy (2024-2029) and you can also read more about our commitment in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
Diversity monitoring
We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve.
To continue to do this we need your help in filling out a short monitoring form.
None of the information you provide will be visible as part of your application. It will only be used anonymously to monitor the inclusivity of our selection processes.
You can select 'prefer not to say’ if you would rather not answer any question.
How to Apply
Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.