Paralegal

Solicitor - Corporate Affairs Paralegal

up to £30,000 per annum

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Role Summary 

To provide legal support, high quality and confidential company secretarial and administrative support to the WRU Group. This role would ideally suit a recently qualified Solicitor or Paralegal with significant commercial experience.

Key Responsibilities, Tasks and Activities:

Legal Duties of the Paralegal:

• Support the Head of Legal Affairs and Group Solicitor to provide comprehensive advice to the WRU Group on a range of contractual and commercial issues (to include sponsorship agreements, broadcasting agreements, competition agreements, event agreements, licensing agreements, employment, and intellectual property)
• Act as a point of contact as directed across a diverse range of other legal matters to include property, corporate, banking and litigation 
• Liaise with external counsel on legal matters as required under the direction of the Head of Legal Affairs or Group Solicitor 
• Assist with WRU Group compliance in relation to the Data Protection Act 2018 

Company Secretarial and Administrative Duties:

• Responsibility for administering all Board meetings of the WRU and Millennium Stadium plc and relevant WRU Sub-Board meetings, including productions of minutes and overseeing follow-up actions 
• Assistance with administering other WRU Group company Board meetings, as requested on occasions 
• Responsibility for arranging WRU General Meetings, including preparation and circulation of Notices of Meetings, resolutions and minutes and production and circulation of all documentation to Member Clubs 
• Storage and maintenance of corporate and legal filings
• Administering elections for WRU Directors and the WRU President, in accordance with requirements of the WRU’s Articles of Association 
• Liaising, as required with relevant Rugby stakeholders (such as World Rugby, Six Nations, EPCR and Pro14) in relation to corporate and related matters 
• Notifying and liaising with Member Clubs regarding relevant issues, including in relation to incorporation and associated advice and updating contact information. 

The WRU Group is committed to providing CPD for the successful candidate. We expect the successful candidate to undertake available training courses and research to enhance personal knowledge, skills and experience.

Person Specification of the Solicitor - Paralegal

Experience:

• Experience of responsibility for preparing contracts and other legally-binding documentation
• Knowledge of current Data Protection legislation
• Experience of company secretarial work and/or administering Board and other meetings
• Preparation of agendas and minutes for Board and other meetings
• Knowledge and understanding of corporate documentation, including constitutional documents (such as Articles of Association, Terms of Reference and Standing Orders)
• Demonstrable experience of administering general meetings and knowledge of corporate filings
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to build excellent working relationships

Skills & Qualifications 

• Formal legal background and able to demonstrate significant relevant experience
• Excellent IT skills, specifically Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint - knowledge and use of software for board meetings and documentation facilitation (such as BoardPad, Board Vantage, Diligent Boardbooks)
• Ability to administer Board, general and other meetings to high standards
• Ability to prioritise competing demands, with excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrable ability to build relationships with people at all levels of seniority
• Track record of high quality, clear and concise written correspondence
• Ability to work both as part of a wider team and independently (with support and guidance as required)
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a "can do" approach and a high level of initiative and persistence
• Welsh language skills is desirable, although not essential

WRU Group Values 

Excellence, Integrity, Success, Courage, Family, Humour

An ability to undertake the roles and responsibilities in line with the WRU Group Values is essential. A copy of the WRU Group Values document is available upon appointment to the role.

Other 

• Valid UK driving licence is desirable
• Knowledge of governance structures in the sports and events industry would be an advantage
• An understanding and commitment to equal opportunities in employment and sport 
• An understanding of individual responsibility in complying with the Health and Safety policies and arrangements
• This role is subject to a DBS disclosure check