Role: Legal Director - Real Estate
Location: Sheffield City Centre
Salary: £80,000 to £130,000, depending on experience
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Working Pattern: Hybrid Working
Progression: Genuine Partnership and Equity Prospects
The Opportunity
CRA Consulting has been retained by a leading national law firm to recruit a Legal Director - Real Estate for its established Sheffield office. This is a senior appointment within a highly regarded Real Estate team and an opportunity to play an important role in the continued development of the firm's property practice across Yorkshire. The successful candidate will work with an established portfolio of regional and national clients while being given the autonomy and support to develop new relationships, grow their own market profile and help shape the future direction of the Sheffield team. The position may suit an existing Legal Director, an ambitious Senior Associate seeking a clear leadership opportunity or a Partner looking for a collaborative national platform with genuine growth potential.
The Role
You will lead complex and high-value real estate transactions across areas including:
- Investment acquisitions and disposals
- Commercial landlord and tenant matters
- Real estate development and regeneration
- Property finance and secured lending
- Asset and portfolio management
- Corporate occupier work
- Strategic land and development agreements
- Property support on corporate transactions
Alongside managing your own client portfolio, you will contribute to the leadership and strategic development of the wider Real Estate practice. Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing trusted relationships with key clients
- Leading major transactions and strategic projects
- Identifying and converting new business opportunities
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm's national network
- Creating cross-referral opportunities with other departments
- Leading pitches, tenders and client presentations
- Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers
- Supporting recruitment and team development
- Contributing to business planning, performance and profitability
- Representing the firm within the Sheffield and wider Yorkshire business community
The Candidate
You will be a UK-qualified Real Estate Solicitor with substantial experience gained within a recognised regional, national or specialist property practice. The firm is particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- Strong technical knowledge across commercial real estate
- Experience leading complex and high-value transactions
- A track record of developing and retaining client relationships
- Commercial awareness and a practical approach to advice
- Experience supervising or developing other lawyers
- Confidence contributing to business development activity
- Strong professional relationships within the regional market
- The ambition to progress towards partnership or equity
An established client following would be welcomed but is not essential. The firm will also consider candidates with a strong professional network, a credible business plan and the ability to convert opportunities with the backing of a national brand.
Why Consider This Role?
This is more than a senior fee-earning position. It offers the opportunity to become a visible and influential figure within the Sheffield office and wider national Real Estate practice.
The successful candidate will benefit from:
- High-quality regional and national real estate work
- An established client base and strong internal referral network
- Genuine influence over the development of the Sheffield practice
- Support for business development and profile building
- Responsibility for mentoring and growing the team
- Access to national resources, infrastructure and specialist departments
- A collaborative and commercially focused culture
- A clear route towards partnership and equity
Salary and Benefits
The firm offers a highly competitive package, including:
- Basic salary of £80,000 to £130,000
- Individual performance-related bonus
- Firm-wide bonus scheme
- Hybrid working arrangements
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private healthcare
- Enhanced pension arrangements
- Professional development and leadership support
- Defined progression milestones
- Long-term partnership and equity prospects
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Legal Director Real Estate in Leeds employer: CRA Legal
CRA Consulting is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that promotes both professional growth and personal well-being. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a strong emphasis on employee development, you will thrive in a culture that values quality and autonomy while managing a diverse caseload of claims. Join us to be part of a supportive team where your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Director Real Estate in Leeds
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like CRA Legal.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like CRA Legal? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit CRA Legal's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Legal Director Real Estate role at CRA Legal, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRA Legal
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where CRA Legal operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to CRA Legal. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at CRA Legal.
