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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support property development from site acquisition to sales, managing legal matters and advising stakeholders.
- Company: Join Dandara, a leading independent property developer with over 100 awards for excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, and 33 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team focused on innovative property solutions.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 4-8 years PQE and strong real estate experience.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
Today Dandara is one of the UKs largest independent property development companies, with more than 100 industry awards for design and quality. Our attention-to-detail and commitment to excellence are second to none.
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, ensuring risks and dependencies are understood by the project team.
- Commercial: Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts relevant to a developer. 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. Our benefits include: £Competitive basic salary, Car Allowance, Discretionary Bonus Scheme, 33 days holiday.
Property Solicitor in Manchester employer: Dandara
Contact Detail:
Dandara Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Solicitor in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the property development sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Dandara and understanding their projects. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Property Solicitor, you'll need to demonstrate strong negotiation abilities. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence and refine your approach before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining Dandara specifically, which can really set you apart from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Property Solicitor in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Property Solicitor 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 Attention to Detail: In this role, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to present their work neatly and professionally, so double-check everything before hitting send!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dandara
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on property law and the specifics of real estate transactions. Familiarise yourself with Dandara's projects and their approach to property development, as this will show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Highlight your experience with site acquisitions, negotiations, and managing multiple matters, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risks. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully navigated complex legal issues or provided pragmatic advice under pressure.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your stakeholder management skills by discussing how you've influenced non-lawyers in previous roles. Be prepared to explain how you communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively to ensure everyone is on the same page.