Overview
For almost 50 years, Williams has been at the forefront of one of the fastest sports on the planet, competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The British squad boasts 16 F1 World Championship titles to its name. Since its foundation in 1977 by the eminent, late Sir Frank Williams and engineering pioneer Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ Championships and true icons of the sport have lifted seven Drivers’ Championship trophies.
The team has a long-term mission to evolve and return to the front of the grid.
Role Purpose
The Senior Legal Counsel will play a critical role in supporting the legal, commercial, and regulatory activities of Atlassian Williams F1 in a fast-paced, high-stakes global environment. This position provides strategic and operational legal advice across all aspects of the team’s racing, technical, commercial, and corporate functions, ensuring compliance with FIA regulations, Formula One Management requirements, and applicable international laws.
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel will act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership and key stakeholders, helping to manage legal risk while enabling the team to compete and innovate at the highest level of motorsport.
This is a hands-on role requiring strong commercial judgment, the ability to work autonomously, and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders in a dynamic and competitive setting.
Main Duties
* Provide high quality, pragmatic and commercially focused legal advice and support to the business, including the following tasks: drafting, reviewing, negotiating and advising on a variety of commercial contracts including supply and purchase agreements, manufacturing agreements, SaaS agreements, collaboration agreements, sponsorship and licensing agreements.
* Provide comprehensive legal advice, strategic guidance, and general support to the business and its support functions including Esports, IT, HR, Procurement, Facilities, Aero, Wind Tunnel, Merchandise & Licensing, Fan Engagement, Experience Centre, Creative, Content, and Communications.
* Advise on contractual rights and obligations, providing clear and practical guidance to support effective decision-making, and delivering timely and practical legal advice aligned with overall business strategies.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess legal implications and provide recommendations for successful project execution.
* Serve as the key legal point of contact for new internal and external company projects, including initiatives in policy governance, fan engagement, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
* Protect and manage Williams’s intellectual property strategy and portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Advise on brand usage, content rights, digital media and merchandising activities.
* Assist in data protection related legal matters, including preparing and negotiating data sharing agreements, data processing agreements, GDPR addendums, IDTAs, and other data protection related documentation such as DPIAs.
* Work closely on intra-group agreements, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate structure and legal requirements, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to structure, draft, and negotiate agreements between different entities within the organisation while addressing legal and regulatory considerations.
* Advise on FIA regulations, Formula One sporting and technical regulations, and related governance frameworks. Support compliance with F1 commercial agreements and governing body requirements. Monitor regulatory developments affecting motorsport and advise on impact and risk mitigation.
* Provide guidance, support, and oversight to junior team members, acting as a mentor and role model. Foster a positive, inclusive environment that encourages learning, collaboration, and meaningful contribution to legal initiatives. Delegate work aligned to individual skills and development goals, providing clear instructions, timelines, and constructive feedback. Maintain open communication through regular one-to-one meetings, supporting performance, professional growth, and career development while setting a high standard for professional conduct and ethical behaviour.
* Provide support to the business and other lawyers in the team including legal research, providing updates on legal developments and updating standard terms and conditions, agreements and other documentation.
* Provide training to the business in respect of regulatory and legal compliance and good practice.
* Identify legal risks across the business and devise effective solutions to mitigate such risks. Assist in coordinating company wide risk governance.
* Ensure compliance by the business and its support functions with all applicable laws and regulations.
* Manage relationships with external counsel.
* Ensure that the General Counsel is appropriately informed and updated of progress on all work matters and key issues, including soliciting input and guidance as appropriate.
* Undertake other duties of a similar nature commensurate with your skills and abilities as determined by the General Counsel.
Qualifications
Required
* Qualified lawyer (UK or equivalent jurisdiction).
* Significant post-qualification experience, ideally gained in a top-tier law firm and in-house environment.
* Strong background in commercial contracts and general corporate advisory work.
* Experience advising in a fast-moving, complex, or regulated environment.
* Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
* Commercially minded, pragmatic, and solutions focused.
Desirable
* Experience in sports, media, entertainment, automotive, technology, or advanced engineering sectors.
* Familiarity with IP, sponsorship, or brand-driven businesses.
* Prior exposure to regulatory frameworks similar to FIA / sporting governance.
Additional Information
We fuel our team with a competitive benefits package, including generous holidays, vibrant staff events, a subsidised onsite restaurant, and a range of car schemes. Stay energised with 24/7 access to our gym and free fitness classes like outdoor boot camps, Pilates, and Yoga. With free parking and sprawling green spaces, you’ve got the perfect space to recharge and refocus.
Join a fast-paced, future-thinking team that’s driving innovation and pushing past engineering boundaries.
Atlassian Williams F1 Team is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We are happy to discuss reasonable job adjustments.
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