At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our legal team to manage property transactions and provide expert advice.
- Company: Dandara, a leading UK property development company with over 100 awards.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in property development while growing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 4-8 years PQE and strong real estate experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
Today Dandara is one of the UK's largest independent property development companies, with more than 100 industry awards for design and quality – and it’s all thanks to the vision and passion of our dedicated team. Our attention-to-detail and commitment to excellence are second to none - since 1988 we've received over 100 industry awards for architecture, design and quality.
Role Overview
We are looking for an in-house lawyer (4–8 PQE) to join a busy in-house property development legal team. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role supporting the business across the full development lifecycle—from site acquisition and planning through construction, funding, sales/lettings and asset management. You will manage multiple matters concurrently, advise stakeholders at pace, and help keep transactions moving while ensuring risks are identified, explained and appropriately managed.
What you will do
- Development/Real Estate: Run and support site acquisitions and disposals (freehold and leasehold), including title review, due diligence, conditions precedent management, and completions. Review and negotiate conditional contracts, options, overage agreements, development agreements, and associated ancillary documentation. Support lettings/sales workstreams including agreements for lease, variations, licences, and general landlord and tenant issues. Provide pragmatic advice on property risk (title defects, easements/rights, restrictive covenants, access, utilities, environmental), escalating higher-risk issues appropriately. Supporting plot sales workstreams including site set up, preparation and settling precedent form sales documents and providing general support for the in-house plot sales team.
- Planning: Support planning workstreams by coordinating legal input on planning conditions/obligations and liaising with external counsel where required (e.g., section agreements), ensuring risks and dependencies are understood by the project team.
- Commercial: Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts relevant to a developer (e.g., professional services, agency/broker, marketing, NDAs). Provide governance/execution support: approvals, execution formalities, and document management.
- External Counsel & Operational Excellence: Instruct, manage and challenge external counsel; control cost and ensure quality and responsiveness. Triage and prioritise incoming work; set realistic timelines; proactively communicate status and next steps. Contribute to continuous improvement: templates, playbooks, checklists, and ways of working.
What you will have
- Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with 4–8 years PQE.
- Strong experience in real estate transactions with meaningful exposure to property development work (private practice and/or in-house).
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with sound commercial judgment.
- Ability to manage a high volume of matters under time pressure with good organisation and attention to detail.
- Strong stakeholder management—able to influence non-lawyers and give clear, pragmatic advice.
- Exposure to BTR, residential development, regeneration/mixed-use, or portfolio asset management.
- Prior in-house experience.
What we will offer you:
Dandara was established in 1988 from the desire to provide innovative homes and commercial properties, which would offer real value for money without compromising on design, durability, or quality. Today Dandara is one of the UK's largest independent property development companies, with over 10,000 happy customers and more than 100 industry awards for design and quality – and it’s all thanks to the vision and passion of our dedicated team.
Our benefits include:
- £Competitive basic salary
- Car Allowance
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Private Medical Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme - EAP
- Health Hero digital doctor - 24 hr virtual help and appointments
- Health Assured Wisdom App
- Competitive parental leave
- 3x salary life assurance (paid option to increase to x4)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employer matched pension scheme of up to 5%
- Flexible benefits including shopping vouchers, airport parking and reduced gym membership
If you would like to have a discreet chat with our Head of Recruitment, Ross Davies, you can reach him on Linkedin.
Important note for Recruitment Agencies: Please do not send, by any means, unsolicited Resumes (i) in response to any of our roles, (ii) to any of our employees or any person engaged by us, or (iii) to any of our regional businesses, including our head office. Any unsolicited Resumes received by us shall be deemed to be our property. Any candidate submitted to us by an Agency via an unsolicited Resume shall be deemed to have been referred by that Agency free of commission, fee or any other charge (Fees). We are not liable for any Fees relating to the engagement of any person resulting from an unsolicited Resume.
Property Lawyer in Altrincham employer: Dandara
Dandara is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation in property development. With a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and professional growth, employees enjoy competitive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, private medical insurance, and a supportive environment for career advancement. Located in Altrincham and the Isle of Man, Dandara offers a unique opportunity to be part of a leading independent company with a strong reputation and a focus on delivering high-quality projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Lawyer in Altrincham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property development sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your interview game on point! Research common questions for property lawyers and practice your responses. Remember, it’s all about showcasing your experience and how you can add value to Dandara’s team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of past projects or cases, bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll be one step closer to joining a fantastic team at Dandara!
We think you need these skills to ace Property Lawyer in Altrincham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Property Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in real estate transactions and property development, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Skills:We want to see your excellent drafting and negotiation skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate how you've successfully managed multiple matters under pressure.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This helps us quickly see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara
✨Know Your Property Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in property law, especially those relevant to site acquisitions and planning. Being able to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation will show your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like negotiating contracts or managing risks. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar challenges, as this will demonstrate your practical skills.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Dandara values strong stakeholder management, so be ready to discuss how you've influenced non-lawyers and provided clear advice in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you’ve had to communicate complex legal concepts in an understandable way.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
With a busy in-house role, organisation is key. Be prepared to talk about how you manage multiple matters under pressure. Share specific tools or methods you use to stay organised and ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality.
