ECB: Regulatory Lawyer (Deadline – June 16)

THE CRICKET REGULATOR

Established in December 2023, the Cricket Regulator was set up to be the ring-fenced executive team responsible for ensuring effective education programmes are in place; to operate best practice monitoring, intelligence, and compliance programmes; to investigate alleged breaches, and to prosecute cases where considered appropriate.

The Cricket Regulator focuses on Anti-Corruption, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Doping, Safeguarding, General Misconduct, and Agency activity in the professional game, as well as other designated levels of organised cricket. Safeguarding and Anti-Discrimination also involves working with other organisations across the recreational game. The Cricket Regulator also ensures cricket in England and Wales meets the regulatory requirements of the International Cricket Council, and also playing a lead role in combatting global threats.

The roles and responsibilities of the Cricket Regulator were previously carried out by an ECB team, which has largely transitioned across to the new structure. An objective in the creation of the Cricket Regulator was to create greater assurance around the separation between regulatory functions and the remainder of the ECB activities.

The Regulatory Lawyer will provide in-house legal support to the Cricket Regulator in relation to sports regulation and disciplinary cases/issues across a range of matters, including anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, anti-doping, misconduct and safeguarding, with the assistance of external counsel where appropriate.

THE ECB

The England and Wales Cricket Board is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level, covering the recreational and professional games. The goal of the ECB is for cricket to be the most inclusive team sport, through delivering the Inspiring Generations strategy and fulfilling the ECB purpose to connect communities and improve lives through cricket.

The ECB Board has the power to set standards in relation to on and off field activity and does so through regulations. The ECB General Counsel has executive responsibility for the ECB regulations, reporting to the ECB Chief Executive. All proposed regulation must be scrutinised by the Regulatory Board, who advise the ECB Board.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting directly to the Director of the Cricket Regulator you will provide and implement legal advice and support to the Cricket Regulator in relation to:

• Managing cases being heard by the independent Cricket Discipline Commission, including advising on investigations into potential breaches of relevant ECB rules and regulations, preparing charges, evidence and submissions.
• Managing cases and advising on issues arising under the ECB’s Safeguarding Policies.
• Providing legal advice and support to the wider Cricket Regulator team as required in relation to ad hoc queries.
• Drafting legal advice notes, charge letters and other correspondence.
• Attending and, ideally, presenting cases at hearings on behalf of the Cricket Regulator.
• Where appropriate, making recommendations as to amendments to relevant ECB rules and regulations.
• Working with other cricket stakeholders on the application of the relevant rules and regulations.
• Supporting the smooth running and effective working of the Regulator, including preparing for and attending meetings of the Cricket Regulatory Board.

YOU’LL HAVE

Essential

• At least 4 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Demonstrable relevant experience, particularly in sports regulatory (or other relevant regulatory) legal work.
• Excellent drafting skills and technical legal skills, especially in the interpretation and enforcement of regulations.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Organisational skills and flexibility to enable effective management of a varied workload.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Stakeholder and relationship management experience.
• Ability to apply expertise in both legal and non-legal challenges.
• Ability to provide practical, pragmatic and concise advice in an accessible way for non-legal colleagues.
• A positive attitude.
• Ability to liaise effectively with others within the Cricket Regulator team, with cricket stakeholders and with external advisors.
• An appreciation of the viewpoints of people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Desirable

• Experience of working for or advising sports governing bodies or other similar organisations.
• Experience working in-house for an organisation.
• An interest in and/or knowledge of cricket.
• Advocacy skills/qualifications.
• High level of technical competence with MS Office (and ideally Clue).

YOU’LL RECEIVE

• Competitive salary
• Holiday – 25 days a year; and Volunteering – 2 days a year
• Pension – Non-contributory pension
• Private medical insurance and long-term sickness insurance
• Employee health cash-back plan
• Life assurance – four times your annual basic salary
• Enhanced family leave and pay
• Other competitive benefits, and access to support and development programmes

We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.