Roles and Responsibilities
- Assist the General Counsel in advising the General Secretary and the Board of Directors in all legal matters pertaining to SAFF's goals and objectives with a particular emphasis on sports law, governance and disciplinary affairs of a domestic and international nature;
- Represent SAFF in legal and external disciplinary affairs pertaining to its relationship with its members and other international sports bodies;
- Instruct where necessary external legal counsel and other ad-hoc legal advisors in matters pertaining to SAFF legal affairs;
- Together with the General Counsel lead the further development of the SAFF team Legal Affairs teams in the areas of sports law, dispute resolution and commercial law;
- Work closely with other SAFF departments and provide and delegate legal support and guidance in their respective fields;
- Ensure that the SAFF Legal Affairs Department efficiently deals with its tasks and responsibilities according to the highest level of legal standards;
- Provide leadership, instruction and support to SAFF legal staff and delegate key tasks accordingly;
- Actively engage with, and seek the views, on a regular basis from closest associates in the Legal Affairs Department on how to further improve its efficiency as well as the status of all key SAFF stakeholders;
- Liaise with all relevant sports bodies in legal affairs and assist the General Secretary and the Board of Directors in similar tasks;
- Create and monitor SAFF's compliance and integrity policies and procedures;
- Propose innovative legal solutions and reforms for the benefit of the game of football in Saudi Arabia and beyond;
- Continue to develop business and legal capacities of SAFF and its members;
- Collaborate closely with and provide legal advice to government entities on various projects and initiatives;
- Help to manage all key stakeholders in a national and international football context;
- Attend key meetings, assemblies and events pertaining to their legal role;
- To support the General Counsel in all matters relating to the Legal and Governance Affairs department;
- To be flexible in relation to additional tasks as required in order to meet SAFF's strategic objectives.
Minimum Qualifications
- Legal qualifications (qualified lawyer).
- Professional fluency (written and oral) in English. Arabic and/or other official FIFA languages (French, German, Spanish) are a plus.
Minimum Experience
- Minimum ten (10) years prior experience in a similar role, preferably in an international sports federation.
Competencies (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)
- Excellent academics and drafting skills.
- Excellent understanding of contemporary international sports law (FIFA, AFC and CAS regulations, policies and jurisprudence).
- Strong ethic of professional discretion and confidentiality.
- Strong IT skills.
- Good communication and ability to distil complex problems down to their key component parts and deliver concise advice.
- Strong ethic of professional discretion and confidentiality.
- Proven and effective line management in previous role;
- Methodical, with meticulous attention to detail.
- Demonstrable commitment to high standards.
- Flexible and adaptable; able to respond to frequent changes or unexpected developments with dexterity, calm and skill.
- Friendly, personable and solutions-oriented team player with strong time management.
- Collaborative skills, good judgement, self-awareness, diplomacy.
