Overview
Job Title: Director of Legal & Governance
Location: Hybrid / FAI HQ Abbottstown
Department: Legal & Governance
Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Introduction: The Legal & Governance Department is critical to ensuring the integrity, accountability, and operational resilience of the FAI. This department provides expert legal guidance, embeds good governance practices, oversees club licensing, ensures regulatory compliance, and upholds safeguarding, ethics, and disciplinary standards across the football community. It also supports the FAI Board and Committees in ensuring best-practice governance and transparent decision-making.
Purpose of the role: The Director of Legal & Governance is responsible for providing strategic leadership in all legal, regulatory, and governance matters while overseeing the organisation's risk and compliance frameworks. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), this role ensures that the FAI conducts its operations in line with statutory requirements, ethical standards, and international football regulations. The Director also acts as Company Secretary & Data Protection Officer.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Serve as a core member of the SLT, contributing to the strategic direction and operational priorities of the FAI.
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Provide timely, accurate, and cost-effective legal and regulatory advice across all business functions.
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Oversee the legal department including legal counsel, disciplinary, safeguarding, and child welfare functions.
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Oversee Club Licensing department.
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Act as Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with GDPR and related data privacy laws.
Strategic Leadership & Legal Advisory: Lead on legal matters relating to major events, commercial contracts, employment law, conveyancing, litigation, and brand/IP protection.
Governance & Company Secretariat: Serve as Company Secretary as required, ensuring compliance with company law and supporting good governance across the FAI or manages through a third-party CoSec provider.
Governance & Company Secretariat: Provide secretariat services through internal team or Third-Party provider to the Board and its Committees, including agenda preparation, minute-taking, action tracking, and regulatory compliance.
Governance & Company Secretariat: Overall responsibility for the planning and management of General Assembly, AGMs, EGMs, and director elections in coordination with relevant Chambers.
Governance & Company Secretariat: Draft and update governance documentation, including the Constitution, Regulations, and Committee Terms of Reference.
Governance & Company Secretariat: Support the COO and other departments on all governance-related initiatives including the cascade of Governance Best Practice throughout the game.
Risk & Compliance Management: Design and implement the FAI's enterprise risk management framework, including the maintenance of risk registers and reporting to the Board.
Risk & Compliance Management: Lead compliance initiatives across the organisation, including adherence to internal policies, safeguarding standards, Sport Ireland requirements, and UEFA/FIFA regulations.
Risk & Compliance Management: Identify and communicate legislative or regulatory changes that may impact the organisation.
Risk & Compliance Management: Ensure insurance notifications and claims are handled in a timely and compliant manner.
Regulatory & Disciplinary Oversight: Collaborate with the Disciplinary Regulations Officer on regulatory hearings, arbitrations, integrity matters, and investigations.
Regulatory & Disciplinary Oversight: Interpret and apply FAI, UEFA, and FIFA Rules and Regulations, offering legal and procedural guidance as required.
Regulatory & Disciplinary Oversight: Oversee the resolution of disputes and litigation in a way that protects the FAI's legal and reputational standing.
Regulatory & Disciplinary Oversight: Promote and enforce adherence to FAI policies and procedures, recommending improvements where appropriate.
Stakeholder & External Engagement: Build strong working relationships with key external partners, including Sport Ireland, FIFA, UEFA, legal service providers, and regulatory authorities.
Stakeholder & External Engagement: Represent the FAI in dealings with regulators, external counsel, and stakeholders on governance, legal, and compliance matters.
Experience Required
10+ Years experience in a Leadership Role
A corporate governance expert and professional company secretary.
Experience of working within a highly regulated environment.
First class interpersonal skills, including discretion. Used to building credibility with senior figures and managing the relationships between Executives and Boards. Has the confidence to make impactful interventions at Board meetings.
Experience of working with confidential and sensitive material in a professional manner.
Significant experience of operating at a senior management level, dispensing accurate and respected governance advice. Able to evidence experience of running a service function highly regarded by its stakeholders.
Experience of representing an organisation in front of regulators and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
Law Degree - LLB or BCL and Member of Law Society of Ireland
Qualified solicitor or barrister in Ireland (or England/Wales, Northern Ireland), with a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience.
ICSA (CGI UK & Ireland) qualified Company Secretary (ACIS or FCIS), or equivalent.
Additional certification in compliance, data protection (e.g., CIPP/E), or risk management (e.g., IRM, ISO 31000) is highly desirable.
Skills and Competencies
In-depth knowledge of Irish corporate and regulatory law, including sports governance frameworks.
Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, data protection, safeguarding, and enterprise risk.
Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage confidential information.
First-class written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to motivate teams, manage performance, and deliver on strategic goals.
Politically astute, with the ability to navigate complex governance environments.
How to apply
Please submit your CV along with a cover letter. In your cover letter, we ask that you specifically address the following:
What excites you most about the role?
Outline your experience as it relates to the above mentioned criteria.
Benefits
Two premium level tickets to each home international game
Sick pay scheme and family friendly leave
Opportunities to work at international matches
Company pension
Life assurance
Bike to work scheme
Free onsite parking
Employee assistance programs
Hybrid working arrangements and flexible hours working arrangements
Discounted access to the National Aquatic Centre and gym complex
Closing date for receipt of applications is close of business on Monday, 22nd September 2025.
The Football Association of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
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