Associate Counsel

About the Role

The Associate Counsel supports the Compliance and Regulation function by providing legal advice and transactional support across a broad range of business matters. Reporting to the Chief Business Officer, this role will serve as a key legal partner in drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and administering legal agreements, advising internal stakeholders on contract terms and legal risk, and supporting legal workflows and cross-functional business initiatives. This position will work closely with internal stakeholders, other business units, as well as outside counsel and external business partners. The ideal candidate will be a practical, business-oriented, transactional attorney who is able to manage a high volume of matters with sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and a solutions-focused approach in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and interpret transactional agreements and documents.
• Advise internal stakeholders on legal, contractual, and business issues related to agreements and related matters across UFC and affiliated properties.
• Provide day-to-day legal support for business affairs, compliance and regulatory matters.
• Partner with business stakeholders to structure, analyze, and resolve contract and compliance issues, balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Support program-specific initiatives through legal drafting, contract review, issue spotting, and workflow management.
• Oversee and review systems for maintaining contracts, records, legal files, templates, and related documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency across internal systems and databases.
• Partner with Finance and other internal teams on legal matters, including review of financial breakdowns and supporting documentation with legal and contractual implications.
• Assist in responding to legal and business information requests from various stakeholders, including outside counsel, auditors, and internal departments.
• Support the continued development and refinement of legal templates, contract workflows, approval processes, and operational practices to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Advise on legal issues arising from business operations, including payment terms, entity documentation, leave provisions, and related compliance items.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various UFC departments and internal stakeholders to provide timely legal guidance and support.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on transactional, regulatory, and operational issues as assigned.
• Contribute to special projects, process improvements, and other legal department initiatives as needed.
• Exercise sound legal judgment, maintain confidentiality, and escalate material legal issues appropriately.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and ability to maintain good standing.
• At least two (2) years of relevant legal experience at a law firm and/or corporate legal department.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and advising on a wide range of contracts and transactional matters.
• Experience counseling business stakeholders directly and translating legal issues into practical business guidance.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, legal drafting, issue spotting, and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-volume, time-sensitive matters with excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, outside counsel, and cross-functional partners.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate effectively across multiple departments and business functions.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Flexible, responsive, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and competing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sports, entertainment, media, business affairs, or a related industry is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with cross-functional legal workflow management is preferred.