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- Tasks: Lead complex legal matters and support business growth in real estate.
- Company: Join a dynamic property company focused on innovative legal solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible homeworking, and occasional travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor in a fast-paced environment with impactful responsibilities.
- Qualifications: 9-10 years PQE as a solicitor with real estate expertise required.
- Other info: Initial 6-month contract with potential for extension; ASAP start.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The client is in the property space and seeking a Head of Legal/GC to join their business to lead on a range of complex in-house legal matters and work closely with executives of the business to aid growth, support business strategies and manage legal risk within the group whilst being pragmatic and commercial to support business objectives.
As a General Counsel of the business, you will work as a key and sole legal contact and a trusted advisor to the SMT and Executives as well as other business units on a broad range of in-house legal and strategic matters, including land acquisition and sale lead. This role requires confident leadership, the ability to drive impactful results, influence through a pragmatic and commercial approach, and to be a key advisor on important legal matters across business functions. You will be involved in strategic and day-to-day legal matters, playing a pivotal role in the group’s legal and commercial operations.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing, negotiating, and structuring real estate matters such as land acquisitions and sales.
- Mitigating legal risk through strategies, advising on steps and audits.
- Leading on broader legal matters including commercial contracts, corporate governance, data protection, employment, and compliance initiatives.
- Ensuring all legal policies are up to date and fit for purpose.
- Managing legal budgets and liaising with external counsel on critical legal matters, advising on what should be in-house or outsourced.
- Building relationships and collaborating with business partners across the group.
- Supporting litigation matters and partnering with external counsel.
- Being a trusted advisor to the group on critical initiatives and projects.
- Performing company secretarial duties.
About you
To succeed in this role, you will likely have:
- Senior counsel experience as a head of legal, general counsel, or legal director.
- At least 9-10 years PQE as a solicitor with expertise in real estate and broader in-house legal leadership.
- Experience in corporate governance, company secretarial work, compliance, and data protection.
- The ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines, partnering closely with senior business members in a fast-paced environment.
- Confidence in your approach while building lasting relationships and working collaboratively.
- Commercially driven advice with pragmatic risk mitigation.
- Strong negotiation skills with business partners.
- Solutions-focused mindset, able to provide sound advice on complex legal challenges.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior lawyer with real estate, commercial, and corporate expertise to provide leadership-level advice. Apply now to find out more!
Start date: ASAP – we can accommodate up to 1 month notice periods. A 3-month notice period is not suitable.
Duration of contract: Initial 6 months, with potential for extension.
Location: Offices in various UK locations. Occasional travel expected, with flexibility for homeworking when necessary for meetings.
Salary: Highly competitive, reflecting senior-level responsibilities.
Contact Detail:
Placed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Director - Real Estate & Legal Operations (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the real estate and legal sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the company thoroughly. Understand their recent projects, legal challenges, and strategic goals. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed legal teams or projects in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to influence and drive results in a commercial environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with current trends and regulations in real estate law. Being well-versed in these areas will not only boost your confidence but also position you as a knowledgeable candidate who can add immediate value to the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Director - Real Estate & Legal Operations (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in real estate and in-house legal leadership. Focus on your senior counsel experience, particularly any roles where you've managed complex legal matters or worked closely with executives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Emphasise your ability to provide commercially driven advice and your experience in mitigating legal risks. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and solutions-focused mindset.
Highlight Key Achievements: In your application, include key achievements that reflect your expertise in corporate governance, compliance, and data protection. Quantify your successes where possible, such as successful negotiations or risk mitigation strategies that had a significant impact on previous employers.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Since this role requires confident leadership, make sure to highlight any experience you have in leading teams or projects. Discuss how you've built relationships with business partners and influenced decision-making processes in your previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Placed
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in real estate law and in-house legal leadership. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or projects where you successfully managed complex legal matters, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Since the role requires a pragmatic and commercial approach, be ready to provide examples of how you've balanced legal considerations with business objectives. Discuss how your advice has positively impacted business strategies and growth in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to mitigate legal risks. Prepare scenarios where you had to navigate challenging legal situations, focusing on your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
As a trusted advisor, your ability to build relationships is crucial. During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their business challenges and demonstrating your interest in collaborating with them to achieve their goals.
