In-House Lawyer

Job description

We are looking for an in-house lawyer to join our busy Legal Services team on a fixed-term basis, ideally with an immediate start.

You’ll be providing legal advice on a wide variety of matters across the spectrum of Sport England’s work, bringing your legal expertise in a purpose-driven, fast paced, role to support our Uniting the Movement strategy.

You’ll be a qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive either in an in-house role or private practice with at least one year’s practical experience (or substantial qualifying work experience).  We would welcome applications from a broad range of candidates with contract drafting experience who would feel this is a good opportunity to move to an in-house role. 

Day to day you will be leading on the drafting and negotiating of a wide range of contracts (including supplier and grant funding agreements) as well as advising the organisation on general legal matters.  Whilst this role reports to the Interim Heads of Legal Delivery, you will be working as part of a team, so it is important to be a team player and be willing to contribute to team initiatives such as training.  You’ll have good communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to build strong relationships across the organisation.

In return we can offer you a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a fantastic work/life balance, whilst doing interesting work in an inspiring sector.  We can’t wait to hear from you!  

Interviews will be held at our Loughborough office and will consist of:

An in-person interview with members of the Legal Services team; and

a short written competency-based test based on the selection criteria identified below.

The role is full-time, but flexible working arrangements can be considered for the right candidate, including compressed hours and part-time hours (minimum 0.8 FTE).

Please review the JD and job pack for further details.

Job Description Download Job Description -In House Lawyer August 2026.pdf

Job Pack Download Job pack - In-House Lawyer - V2 (002).pdf

Salary : £45,000 - £50,000 per annum plus Excellent Benefits

Fixed Term until August 2027

Location: Homeworking, with regular travel required within England (usually to one of the Sport England offices at Loughborough, London or Bisham Abbey) to attend team, Directorate and organisation meetings.

Application Deadline: 28th September 2026

Sport England recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly where we are under-represented, currently, this includes disabled people and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. 

About Us

At Sport England, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity – regardless of age, gender, background, bank balance or post code. We are an arm’s length body responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport and helping more people get active across England – around two thirds of our funding comes from players of The National Lottery, with the remainder coming from the Exchequer.

Our work is driven by Uniting the Movement, a 10-year strategy focused on tackling inequalities and creating positive experiences of sport and physical activity for all. From funding local community initiatives to influencing national policy, we work in partnership with organisations and individuals who share our vision of an active nation where everyone feels able to take part and be active in a way that works for them.