Job Description

Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Lawyer

Location: Manchester (Flexible Working)

Salary: £65,000-£95,000 + Extensive Benefits

Experience required: 4+ Years PQE

Join the UK's largest residential development legal team, working with top housebuilders, developers, and strategic land clients across the UK.

Our client, a nationally recognised law firm with 13 UK offices, is seeking an ambitious Real Estate lawyer to join their Housebuilding & Strategic Land (HSL) team. This is an exceptional opportunity to work within a team of 80+ lawyers supporting the majority of the UK's top 10 and top 20 housebuilders, housing associations, and major regeneration companies.

If you're an experienced Real Estate lawyer with 4+ years' PQE looking to work on complex residential development transactions and build a significant career in property law, this could be your perfect next move.

About the Role

As a Real Estate/Housebuilding and Strategic Land Lawyer, you'll be a key member of one of the UK's largest residential development legal teams. You'll work with a diverse client base, handling both routine and complex property transactions across various sectors.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Handling transactions for housebuilders, developers, landowners, housing associations, and local authorities

• Managing routine and complex property transactions, including:

  • Conditional and unconditional contracts

  • Options agreements

  • Golden-brick and affordable housing transactions

  • Back-to-back sales

  • Deeds of easement

  • Infrastructure agreements

  • Overage arrangements

  • Site assembly projects

  • Service charge and management agreements

• Advising on strategic land matters, including:

  • Promotion agreements

  • Hybrid agreements

  • Collaboration agreements

  • Land pooling

  • Building licences

  • Mixed-use schemes

  • Private Rental Sector (PRS) developments

  • Institutional investment transactions

  • Portfolio charging and acquisitions

• Providing expert advice on VAT and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) issues

• Building and maintaining strong client relationships

• Developing contacts with leading residential development land agents

• Contributing to the team's growth and business development efforts

• Supporting colleagues across the HSL sector group

• Participating in the firm's extensive training and development programme

This role offers excellent variety, working with high-profile clients on complex residential development projects, with genuine autonomy and support from an experienced team.

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor with minimum 4 years' PQE in Real Estate/Property law

• Proven track record in residential development and strategic land transactions

• Strong experience with routine property transactions

• Demonstrated competence in handling complex property matters

• Excellent understanding of VAT and SDLT issues

• Strong client relationship management skills

• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams

• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking

• Ambitious and client-focused approach

• Highly competent with exceptional attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience with top 10/20 housebuilders

• Contacts with regional land development agents

• Advanced knowledge of affordable housing transactions

• Experience in mixed-use and institutional investment projects

• Track record of business development

• Additional property-related qualifications

Exceptional Benefits Package

Financial Rewards:

• Competitive salary (4-6 years PQE: £65,000-£75,000 | 7+ years PQE: £75,000-£95,000)

• Performance-related bonuses

• Enhanced pension scheme

• Life and income protection

Professional Development:

• Extensive training and development programme

• Clear career progression pathways

• Mentorship opportunities

• Support for professional qualifications

• Exposure to complex, high-value transactions

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible working arrangements

• Hybrid working options

• Generous annual leave

• Family-friendly policies

• Wellbeing support programmes

Culture & Recognition:

• Part of a Legal Business Awards Law Firm of the Year

• Working Families Top 30 Employer

• Collaborative team culture

• Employee recognition programmes

• Commitment to "doing the right thing"

Location & Working Arrangements

Based: Manchester office
Working Pattern: Full-time
Hybrid Working: Flexible working supported
National Reach: Part of HSL sector group across 13 UK offices

About Our Client

A leading UK law firm committed to:

• 13 nationwide offices

• Over 1,000 colleagues

• Award-winning reputation

• Vision to be the best firm for residential development

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're an experienced Real Estate lawyer looking to join a market-leading team with exceptional development opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Lee Hawthorne-Finch
0333 996 2882 or lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com