Senior Legal Counsel - Integrity

Senior Legal Counsel - Integrity

Moore Park

Rugby Australia (Rugby AU), the governing body of Rugby Union in Australia, is looking for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel - Integrity to lead the integrity function and be responsible for the continuous development and delivery of a program that promotes and protects the image and integrity of rugby ensuring that:

  • all those involved in rugby at all levels act in accordance with our core values of passion, integrity, discipline, respect and teamwork at all times;
  • rugby continues to be a safe and inclusive sport for all; and
  • rugby is played, coached, and administered to deliver fair sporting outcomes that instill enduring public confidence in our game including competition fixtures and match results.

Key responsibilities:

  • Develop, implement, maintain and administer relevant corporate and professional/community rugby policies and programs including Anti-Doping, Illicit Drugs, On-field Disciplinary Rules, Code of Conduct, Member Protection, Anti-Corruption & Betting, Whistleblowing, Child Safeguarding, Supplements, Safety & Welfare, Medical, Biosecurity/Workplace Safe Measures, Registration Regulations and Anti-Bribery, Gifts & Hospitality to ensure that Rugby AU complies with all applicable laws including World Rugby Regulations and that any proposed policy amendments are agreed with key stakeholders such as the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) as and when required.

  • Lead and conduct investigations of alleged misconduct at National level which involves legal advice and drafting work such as preparing breach notices, sanction recommendations, briefs of evidence/hearing bundles, representing Rugby AU by attending and/or appearing at tribunals and courts as and when required, and providing support to Member Unions and clubs that are dealing with any alleged misconduct at community level within their jurisdiction.

  • Develop and maintain excellent internal and external stakeholder relationships with Member Unions, Super Rugby clubs, National Teams, SANZAAR, National Rugby Unions/Federations, World Rugby, RUPA, Sport Integrity Australia, Sport Australia, National Sports Tribunal, State gaming, liquor and racing regulatory bodies, Australian betting operators, sports betting monitoring service providers, drug testing agencies, Core Integrity, police/law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies, other professional sports governing bodies in Australia, rugby clubs, legal service providers, security providers and education providers

  • Collaborate with key stakeholders including Sport Integrity Australia on policy development, assessment of integrity risks for rugby in Australia, and in relation to education and testing such as in relation to anti-doping and dealing with any alleged anti-doping rule violations

  • Participate as a member of the Rugby AU Committees as and when required, for example the Player, Health, Safety and Integrity Committee, the Return to Play Committee and the Rugby AU Board’s Governance and Policy Committee to support integrity initiatives aimed at assessing integrity risk areas and developing strategies to proactively manage and mitigate such integrity risks;

  • Assist with the reviewing of inbound and outbound Participation/Tour Agreements (for example, for RWCs, Sevens World Series, U20s and test matches) and, in consultation with the Chief Rugby Services Officer, draft pre-season match approvals, to ensure that all relevant integrity and disciplinary related matters and other administrative arrangements are adequately covered

  • Assist with the negotiation and drafting of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Rugby Bodies and RUPA and provide advice on the interpretation of provisions of the CBA related to integrity matters and outcomes

  • Assisting the National Head of Team Contracting and the General Counsel in connection with any disputes, challenges or issues regarding the implementation or administration of any professional Player Contract or other integrity matter under the jurisdiction of the CBA

  • Manage Ruby AU’s Product Fee and Integrity Agreements (PFIAs) with licensed Australian betting operators, including drafting and negotiating new agreements and extensions and undertaking RA’s due diligence process as and when required for new operators

  • Prepare annual Notifications to government agencies, for example the various state gaming and betting regulators, as and when required by applicable law or to comply with obligations under any relevant RA government contract including in relation to government grants and funding

  • Manage Rugby AU’s betting monitoring process and related service providers

  • Support the delivery of Citing Commissioner, Judicial Committee and Code of Conduct Committee education and training as and when required

  • Act as Designated Disciplinary Officer for Rugby AU governed matches in Australia and Integrity Officer for World Rugby tournaments played in Australia (e.g., Sevens World Series); and

  • Assist the Chief Legal Officer and/or General Counsel with any other legal, contractual, or human resource issues, disputes and litigation as and when required.

To be successful, you will need to have:

  • A minimum of 5 years in a senior role(s) in the integrity, regulatory or compliance environment - preferably within sport in Australia or overseas
  • Qualifications as a lawyer in Australia or another Commonwealth jurisdiction
  • Multi-tasking skills
  • Excellent drafting skills
  • Strong oral and written communication skills and attention to detail
  • Stakeholder (internal and external) management, influencing and relationship building skills
  • Ability to interpret and analyze legislation, rules, and regulations, and apply this to a given factual scenario to evaluate options and provide clear advice as to next steps
  • Ability to make decisions when faced with different views / competing interests and/or priorities
  • Ability to maintain strict levels of confidentiality when dealing with a wide range of issues and stakeholders
  • Experience playing and/or officiating rugby would be desirable
  • Sports law
  • Proven capacity to undertake complex investigations
  • Strong advocacy skills.

To apply please send your CV and cover letter supporting your application to Rachel.Buckling@rugby.com.au. Applications close Monday 29th August 2022.