Senior Associate / Legal Director - Ipswich, Chelmsford, Norwich, Cambridge, London, Sevenoaks or Bristol

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years. We have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition, working with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities they may face. Our collegiate culture encourages everyone to achieve their next level in everything they do.

The Residential Development Team at Birketts includes 5 partners and 40 other fee earners at all levels working collaboratively across six of Birketts’ seven offices. The team works closely with other Birketts’ teams, including full support from tax, planning, environmental, construction and Real Estate litigation teams, and will include close liaison with our specialist contentious Social Housing management team.

This role will have a particular focus on the Social Housing sector. Our property lawyers are experienced in dealing with development and investment, planning, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters.

A minimum of 6 years PQE in a professional legal environment is required, along with well-developed knowledge in all areas of residential development law with a bias towards the social housing sector. Candidates should be able to:

• Contribute to thought leadership and social housing sector-focused marketing initiatives
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to team development
• Build credibility and trust through effective relationships
• Use Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation competently
• Demonstrate business development acumen with experience in growing a client base and identifying new business opportunities

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that plays a key role in the delivery of residential development projects, focusing on the social housing sector. You will be involved in transactions that support affordable housing and community development, working closely with housing associations, developers, and local authorities.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Ensuring client needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency
• Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the team and the firm
• Providing support and training to junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment
• Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services
• Acquisitions of housing development sites for RPs through various contract structures
• Drafting and negotiating development agreements and ensuring compliance with grant funding requirements
• Negotiating Nomination Agreements on behalf of Registered Providers
• Drafting and negotiating Infrastructure Agreements and all aspects of estate infrastructure transfers and easements for Registered Providers
• Drafting and negotiating Management Agreements and Service Level Agreements on behalf of Registered Providers

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.

Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits: 30 days holiday (FTE) plus...