At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a dynamic Real Estate practice while shaping its future.
- Company: Join Markel Law, a people-first legal business backed by a Fortune 500 company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and to shape a nationally recognised practice.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing team with ambitious plans.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in real estate and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
This is your opportunity to take the reins of a growing Real Estate practice and play a defining role in shaping its future at Markel Law, an SRA-regulated, people‑first legal business backed by the strength of the global Fortune 500 Markel Group. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic partner‑level lawyer based in Manchester to lead and grow our real estate practice. The team currently consists of 3 fee earners and has ambitious growth plans to more than double in size.
The firm’s commercial services team is focussed on the key legal areas businesses routinely navigate on a daily basis, including contracts, IP, data protection, corporate and property‑related matters. The role will work with the Head of Commercial on the strategic development and growth of the real estate team, manage key client relationships and take overall responsibility for the supervision and development of all colleagues within the team.
This role will involve overseeing transactions, ensuring the highest quality of documentation and advice, building and maintaining strategic client relationships, driving business development, and working closely with the Head of Commercial and senior leadership on the delivery of integrated property solutions across the firm.
Markel Law is part of the wider Markel insurance business, known for innovation, integrity and putting people first. Our award‑winning legal services support over 200,000 advice‑line callers every year, with specialist teams across Real Estate, Commercial, Civil, Employment, Crime/Regulatory and more.
You’ll be joining a business that:
- Employs 60+ specialist solicitors across Manchester, Leeds, London & Croydon
- Works with an impressive client base including high‑net‑worth individuals, associations and commercial organisations
- Operates with the backing, stability and scale of Markel Group (NYSE: MKL)
This is a rare chance to grow our Real Estate practice with three experienced fee‑earners and ambitious plans to more than double in size.
As Head of Real Estate, you’ll work closely with the Head of Commercial to:
- Lead and grow the practice
- Set the strategic direction for the Real Estate team
- Shape its growth, culture and long‑term success
- Supervise, mentor and develop fee‑earners and support staff
- Drive client relationships & business development
- Build and nurture strategic, high‑value client relationships
- Expand the team’s portfolio through targeted BD activity
- Represent Markel Law as a trusted adviser and senior leader
- Deliver technical excellence
- Oversee (and where appropriate handle) high‑value and complex real estate transactions—acquisitions, disposals, leases, development projects and more
- Ensure consistency, quality and excellence across all legal output
- Collaborate across the firm
- Work with the Head of Commercial and other senior partners to deliver integrated property and commercial solutions
- Contribute to automation, template development and process efficiencies
- Steer financial performance
- Manage budgets, resourcing and financial objectives to ensure profitable, sustainable growth
We’re looking for a leader with:
- Extensive, senior‑level experience across the full spectrum of real estate work
- A track record of managing complex matters and handling significant transactions
- Strong commercial skills and proven success in client acquisition & business development
- Excellent people leadership—mentoring, coaching, developing high‑performing teams
- A collaborative approach and the ability to influence at all levels
- A reputation for technical excellence and exceptional client care
- (Highly desirable) experience advising clients in the social care sector
At Markel Law, we believe in doing the right thing and supporting one another. You’ll benefit from:
- Competitive salary, annual bonus & benefits package
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with options to buy/sell)
- Private medical, dental, life assurance, income protection & travel insurance
- Excellent pension scheme
- Flexible working options and genuine work‑life balance
- A platform to shape and grow a nationally recognised Real Estate practice
- A supportive, collaborative culture where your ideas drive change
- Access to learning, development and leadership programmes
We’re a Disability Confident and Committed employer, proud to support flexible working and committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
If you’re excited by the opportunity to lead, influence and grow a high‑performing Real Estate practice we’d love to hear from you. At Markel, we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you.
We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns. We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.
Head of Real Estate in Manchester employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
Markel Law is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, offering a supportive and collaborative culture where your ideas can drive meaningful change. With competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to work-life balance, employees have the opportunity to shape and grow a nationally recognised Real Estate practice in Manchester. The firm fosters professional development through access to learning and leadership programmes, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to the ambitious growth plans of the Real Estate team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Real Estate in Manchester
✨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 Dormont Manufacturing Co.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Dormont Manufacturing Co? 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 Dormont Manufacturing Co's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Real Estate in Manchester
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 Head of Real Estate role at Dormont Manufacturing Co, 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 Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨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 Dormont Manufacturing Co 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 Dormont Manufacturing Co. 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 Dormont Manufacturing Co.
