Football is the global game, and in Aotearoa New Zealand it is the largest participation sport, offering meaningful experiences and opportunities for everyone. From tamariki to seniors, community players to high-performance athletes, football connects people across all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. At New Zealand Football, our purpose is to enrich lives, connect communities, and inspire our future through high-quality football experiences. Our vision is to unite communities and inspire generations through the game we love. Te Kākahu o New Zealand Football reflects our shared strength, identity and purpose woven from ambition, excellence and inspiration, with threads of unity, care, guardianship and connection. From these foundations flow the values that guide how we work and show up for one another and the game. We are committed to upholding the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are on a journey to grow and embed a rich, vibrant culture of diversity and inclusion. We aim to make football the most inclusive sport in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we’d love you to join us.
Job Description
About the role
This position of Senior Legal Counsel supports the various NZF business units and Federations across a range of commercial, regulatory and governance matters, as well as ensuring the effective operation of NZF’s integrity framework.
Key responsibilities will include:
Providing legal advice in relation to governance structures, including Annual Congress and Statutes.
Support the development of drafting and interpretation or organisational regulations and policies.
Management of issues arising under NZ Football’s integrity framework including complaints, investigations and disciplinary matters.
Providing legal oversight on matters relating to Safeguarding, Code of Ethics and Conduct
Lead the drafting of commercial contracts and complex specialist projects
Managing NZF’s brand protection strategy including enforcement of IP and trademarks.
Advising on privacy and data protection requirements
Advising on a wide range of corporate legal issues.
Desired Skills and Experience
About you
You’ll need to be a seasoned legal professional with a current practising certificate from the NZ Law Society and a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience. We’re looking for knowledge and skills in the following:
Experience in employment, commercial and contract law
Experience in contract negotiation
Understanding of sponsorship rights, licensing rights and intellectual property law issues
Experience in and understanding of the operation of domestic tribunals
Experience in and understanding of integrity issues, including safeguarding, sports betting and the drafting and enforcement of regulations
Strong judgement with the ability to manage risk and sensitive matters.
Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the legal and governance framework that underpins football across Aotearoa. You’ll work within a purpose driven organisation alongside passionate people, providing strategic legal advice that enables the game to thrive and deliver meaningful impact in communities
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you’re excited about this role and believe you have what it takes, even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply.
Our recruitment process is fair and inclusive, and we’re committed to making it accessible for everyone. We value diverse perspectives and the unique contributions each person brings to our culture. Put simply, you can be yourself here.
Applications close 5pm on Tuesday 21st July 2026, however, we will process applications as soon as they are received and this job advert may close sooner if an appointment is made prior to the closing date, don’t delay, apply now! Please note all applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
