At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic legal team managing property development from acquisition to sales.
- Company: Dandara, a leading independent property development company with over 100 awards.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private medical insurance, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Flexible benefits and a supportive work environment for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in property law while working on exciting projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong real estate experience and excellent negotiation skills.
Job Reference: RD AltPS
Location: Altrincham, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Type of Contract: Permanent
Salary: 0
About Us
Today Dandara is one of the UKs largest independent property development companies, with more than 100 industry awards for design and quality and its 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 2-5 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 UKs largest independent property development companies, with over 10,000 happy customers and more than 100 industry awards for design and quality and its 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.
Property Lawyer - Altrincham in London employer: Dandara
Dandara is an exceptional employer, renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation in property development. With a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and professional growth, employees benefit from competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive health support. Located in Altrincham, our team enjoys a supportive environment that encourages continuous improvement and offers unique opportunities to engage in high-impact projects across the full development lifecycle.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Lawyer - Altrincham in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property sector, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Property Lawyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Dandara and their projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for property development and how your skills can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Property Lawyer, you’ll need to negotiate contracts and agreements. Role-play with a friend or mentor to sharpen your approach and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Dandara and being part of their award-winning team.
We think you need these skills to ace Property Lawyer - Altrincham in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Property Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in real estate transactions and property development, as well as any in-house experience you have. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about property law and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your excellent drafting and negotiation skills in your application. Mention specific examples where you've successfully managed multiple matters under pressure. We appreciate attention to detail and strong stakeholder management!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our fantastic team at Dandara!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara
✨Know Your Property Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your property law knowledge, especially around site acquisitions, planning conditions, and commercial contracts. Being able to discuss recent developments or case studies in property law will show that you're not just qualified but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've effectively managed stakeholders in previous roles. Dandara values strong communication and the ability to influence non-lawyers, so be ready to share specific instances where your advice made a difference in a project.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since this role involves managing multiple matters under time pressure, come prepared with examples that highlight your organisational skills. Discuss how you prioritise tasks and ensure that deadlines are met without compromising on quality.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about Dandara's projects or their approach to risk management in property development. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
