Job Description

Managing Associate (Housebuilding)

Location: Leeds (hybrid working)

Salary: £75,000 to £95,000 plus bonus and benefits

Experience: 6+ years’ PQE

 

If you’re a residential development lawyer who enjoys running complex land transactions, building client relationships, and taking a visible role in a growing team, this is a strong opportunity to step into a Managing Associate position within a busy housebuilding practice.

Our client is looking to appoint an experienced Managing Associate to join their Housebuilding team within the wider Housing department. The role offers high levels of client contact, a genuine platform for business development, and the chance to help shape the team’s growth while mentoring junior colleagues.

You’ll advise housebuilder clients on high-value site acquisitions, strategic land assembly, disposals and complex development projects. The work is varied and end-to-end, with close collaboration across specialist teams (including estate set up, infrastructure and plot sales) to support developments from land acquisition through to plot sales.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading on residential development transactions including site acquisitions, site assembly and disposals for national, regional and SME housebuilders

• Taking ownership of due diligence and providing clear, commercial advice

• Drafting and negotiating a full suite of development documents, which may include:

• Contracts

• Options

• Building leases

• Promotion agreements

• Transfers

• Overage agreements

• Detailed legal reports

• Supporting the delivery of developments from acquisition through to plot sales, working closely with colleagues across specialist teams

• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, trainees and paralegals, providing leadership and guidance

• Building and maintaining strong client relationships, identifying opportunities to grow market share and service offering

• Playing an active role in business development and profile raising activity

• Keeping up to date with legal and market developments affecting the housing sector

 

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified Solicitor with ideally 6+ years’ PQE in housebuilder site acquisition and residential development work

• Strong technical skills with excellent drafting, negotiation and attention to detail

• Commercial, solutions-focused approach and sound judgement

• Confident communicator and relationship builder, comfortable engaging with clients and stakeholders

• Organised and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities and deadlines

• Interest in leadership, mentoring and developing junior talent

• Proactive approach to business development and networking, with willingness to travel occasionally

 

What’s On Offer

• Salary: £75,000 to £95,000 (depending on experience)

• Discretionary bonus scheme

• Enhanced pension with employer matched contributions up to 6%

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 28 with service)

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days’ holiday

• Life assurance (4x basic salary), with option to purchase additional cover

• Range of health and wellbeing benefits

• Hybrid working, with a minimum requirement of 2 days per week in the Leeds office

• Flexible benefits programme with options to tailor your package

 

Working Arrangements

This role is based in Leeds and is offered on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of 2 days per week working from the Leeds office.

 

Next Steps

Apply online or send your CV to  lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com  or call 0333 996 2882 for more information.

All applications are handled in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.