Director and Legal Counsel – Commercial
Position Title: Director and Legal Counsel – Commercial
COMPANY PROFILE:
The Canadian Football League is Canada’s home for professional football. With over a century of rich history and nine member teams across the nation, the CFL provides world-class entertainment and excitement to a passionate and dedicated fan base. A season-long journey of unforgettable moments and must-see-TV broadcasts culminates in Canada’s largest single-day sporting event – the Grey Cup, where the newly crowned champions earn the right to hoist the iconic emblem of Canadian football.
The CFL leads a global movement to grow and modernize the game. The league is committed to a global vision as it connects with fans around the world. It is transforming into a digital-first sports league through an innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership with Genius Sports to maximize fan engagement through data analytics, technological advances, and sports betting.
Just as important as its industry-leading operations, the CFL proudly champions the values on which Canada was built – unity, diversity, inclusion, strength, and service to the community. The league is supportive of all peoples, cultures, and backgrounds, offering a respectful and inclusive working and playing environment, centered on acceptance and understanding. The CFL’s successes are measured not only on the field and within its ranks, but also in its unparalleled impact in affecting positive change and bettering Canadian communities and lives.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The role is responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial contracts for the organization, including sponsorship agreements, marketing/promotional initiatives and related materials, contractor and vendor agreements, licensing contracts, and a variety of other arrangements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support various departments (including partnerships, marketing, licensing, and events) in the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements.
- Manage and enhance the executional rigour of internal commercial processes and special projects.
- Provide practical, solution-oriented, business-minded legal advice and guidance to the commercial departments and senior leadership of the organization.
- Monitor ongoing changes to legislation and regulations and provide expert guidance to the Commissioner and league office executives to ensure compliance by the CFL.
- Liaise with and manage relationships with external counsel.
- Periodically present to Management Council (club presidents) and/or the Board on commercial legal matters affecting the CFL.
- Distill and communicate complex legal concepts in layperson’s terms.
QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, EXPERIENCE):
- A minimum of 3 years of top-tier commercial law experience is required (private practice and/or in-house).
- Called to the bar in the province of Ontario.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with internal and external constituents at all levels.
- Excellent business judgement, superior leadership skills, and strong commitment to providing timely and top-quality client service with superior work product.
- Exceptional critical thinking skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, while juggling competing, time-sensitive demands.
- Strong business sense and ability to exercise good business judgement.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
LOCATION:
This role is based in Ontario, at the CFL League Office in Toronto (50 Wellington St. East). The successful candidate must be located in Ontario and able to attend the office at least two days per week. In addition, all employees will be required to attend meetings or other business events at the league office or other venues as business needs dictate.
CONTACT:
To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, resume and work samples to careers@cfl.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The CFL is an equal opportunity employer. We are working to create a more diverse and inclusive work environment and welcome applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people living with disabilities and people identifying as LGBTQ2S+.