Manager, Player Affairs

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top professional women's soccer league in the USA, with 14 teams and +300 of the best soccer players in the world. In its 12th season, the league continues to grow exponentially, with 2024 attendance topping 2 million fans for the first time- the third straight year the league surpassed 1 million in total attendance. Viewership across all broadcast media partners - Amazon, CBS, ESPN and Scripps - was up 285% year over year, and team valuations continue to soar. This growth underscores the league's expanding fan base and growing presence in both the sports media landscape and in pop culture. The future of the NWSL has never looked brighter.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is experiencing extraordinary growth, revolutionizing the sports landscape and redefining the reach of women's sports. With expansion into new markets, record-breaking attendance, and unprecedented viewership, NWSL is poised for even greater commercial success. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is growing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global sports landscape. As we continue to expand and elevate the profile of professional women's soccer in the United States, we are seeking an Associate Counsel to join our Legal team. This individual will provide day-to-day legal support across a broad range of matters and collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support NWSL teams in various elements of player personnel management and overall player administration, particularly writing and executing player contracts.
• Lead the processes in connection with player acquisition, termination, trades, loans, transfers, USSF registration and international clearance and other mechanisms through which players enter the League, exit the League and/or move within the League, which includes drafting documents and processing forms.
• Manage the team salary cap and allocation money calculations.
• Track, record and distribute roster management documents to League, clubs and external stakeholders.
• Maintain and continue to build out the player database that contains player contract, transaction and bioinformation.
• Assist the Payroll department with bi-weekly processing of player payroll, including the tracking of achieved performance bonuses and benefits.
• Enforce the League's competition rules and policies.
• Compose and distribute League-wide communication to players and clubs.
• Respond and resolve all questions and concerns from clubs and players.
• Assist with player communications, maintaining regular, timely and accurate communication.
• Meet and exceed service levels and standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required
• 2+ years of progressive experience in sports administration
• Ability to multitask and execute without close supervision
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to maintain strong customer service and follow-up with all team/player inquiries
• Ability to deliver high quality work and execute under pressure/deadlines
• Able and willing to travel up to 20% of the time
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends and holidays

Desired Qualifications

• Has a strong professional and positive presence/image that represents the League both internally and externally
• Guided by strong moral and ethical principles
• Knowledge of the sport of soccer
• Communicates in a direct, open and honest manner
• Accountable for actions/decisions and does not make excuses
• Seeks feedback
• Practices self-assessment and self-reflection

Salary: $75,000 -$100,000/year

NWSL salaries are contingent upon candidates' qualifications, functional business needs, and market financials.

NWSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is vital to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or citizenship.