Senior Legal Counsel - AFL Players Association

About the AFL Players' Association

The AFL Players’ Association has a rich history and has entrenched itself as a key stakeholder in the AFL industry as the representative body for male, female and past player members.

Now in its 49th year, the PA has grown in influence and size to become a respected champion of players and the game.

It is the belief of the AFL Players that, as key stakeholders, players deserve to continue to have their voices heard on all issues pertaining to themselves and the game.

About the Senior Legal Counsel role

Due to an internal promotion, the AFLPA are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel with 4-5 years’ post-qualification experience to join its Legal team. Reporting to the General Manager – Legal and working closely with a Legal Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel will provide legal advice to the AFLPA business and our membership groups, collectively and individually.

AFLPA’s work is dynamic and challenging as the AFL industry continues to change and evolve. The Legal team exists to advance and protect the interests of AFL and AFLW players, both individually and collectively. 

To be successful in the role, the Senior Legal Counsel will need to be able to provide timely, accurate and practical legal advice taking into account various stakeholders within the AFL industry. The candidate must be able to demonstrate 4-5 years’ legal experience either in private legal practice or in-house roles, have outstanding drafting and communication skills, be highly motivated and be excited by the challenge of working as a player advocate in football.

The successful applicant will also have demonstrated practical experience in the areas of employment law, industrial relations, and/or health and safety. Practical experience in legal matters relating to human rights will be highly regarded.

Technical competencies

· Experience in the sporting industry

· Experience in employment law, industrial relations, health and safety

· Highly developed legal drafting, contract review and legal research skills

· Ability to communicate legal advice to a wide variety of stakeholders

Personal attributes

· Attention to detail

· Passion for advocacy

· Strong sense of initiative and a creative approach to problem-solving

· Care for protection of human rights

· Ability to build great relationships with internal and external stakeholders

· High level of commitment, enthusiasm and motivation

· Demonstrated ability to consider competing interests and deal flexibly with a rapidly changing environment

· Highly developed communication skills – verbal and written

· Strong organisational and time management skills

· Reliability and accountability to organisational goals and targets

· Ability to work to tight deadlines

· Desire to learn and develop, willingness to learn and embrace change

This role is ideal for a mid-level lawyer who is passionate about both the law and football, who is keen to hone their skills through a variety of work with a focus on employment matters.

Please apply via SEEK, uploading your CV and a cover letter.

Applications close 2nd July 2022.