Thinking of moving home to Cape Town?
We are looking for South African lawyers (and other UK or US-trained lawyers with the right to work in South Africa) who are currently practising commercial real estate law in the UK or US and are ready to relocate to Cape Town. You keep working on UK property matters, at the level you are used to, while living in Cape Town.
About the role
Our client, an international hospitality and entertainment investment group with businesses including chef-led restaurants, food and beverage brands and entertainment venues, is hiring a Senior Real Estate Counsel for its Cape Town office (office-based or hybrid). Reporting into the Group General Counsel, you will take ownership of all real estate matters across the group, most of which are in the UK, and build the real estate function from the ground up. This is a commercial leasehold advisory role, not a conveyancing position.
Key responsibilities
- Manage the group’s property portfolio across multiple sites and jurisdictions, mainly the UK, including acquisitions, disposals and portfolio management.
- Draft, review and negotiate leases, licences, agreements for lease and related property documentation.
- Lead on lease renewals, rent reviews, break options, assignments, sub-lettings, surrenders and variations.
- Handle dilapidations, service charge disputes, licences for alterations and landlord and tenant matters.
- Support site acquisitions and new openings for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
- Instruct and manage external counsel and specialist advisers, and build internal precedents and templates.
Requirements
- Qualified solicitor, attorney or equivalent with 6 to 8 years’ post-qualification experience.
- Trained and practised as a commercial real estate lawyer in the UK or US, currently based abroad and willing to relocate to Cape Town (or recently relocated).
- Right to work in South Africa (South African citizens and permanent residents are ideal).
- Strong commercial leasehold experience, including lease negotiation, renewals, rent reviews and the full range of landlord and tenant matters.
- Excellent drafting skills and meticulous attention to detail.
- Experience in hospitality, food and beverage, retail or entertainment is a strong advantage.
- Experience limited to South African conveyancing will not be suitable.
Remuneration and benefits
- Market related, depending on experience.
- 13th cheque and parking allowance.
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Contact Details:
Afrique Connection Consultancy Recruitment Team
