Senior/Principal Associate - Affordable Housing in Birmingham

Senior/Principal Associate - Affordable Housing in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 60000 - 75000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Gowling WLG

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide expert property law advice on affordable housing projects and client relationships.
  • Company: Join a top-ranked firm known for its collaborative culture and commitment to diversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and a supportive environment.
  • Other info: Opportunities for career progression and tailored training in a dynamic team.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-growing affordable housing sector with exciting projects.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years of experience in commercial property or development required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.

We have a great opportunity for a Senior or Principal Associate within our Housing Development and Regeneration (HDR) team to provide property law advice on all aspects of affordable housing ownership, development and investment. We work for registered providers and local authorities as well as investors. We develop and maintain strong client relationships and become immersed in many aspects of affordable housing with some projects lasting several years.

The role covers work streams involving title due diligence, land acquisition and property development and portfolio acquisition and disposal whereby we add real value to client relationships and projects. The role presents the opportunity for a long and meaningful career, working as part of one of the largest real estate teams in the country and for some of the top clients and high profile projects.

The Regeneration and Affordable Housing team sits within the Real Estate Group, the third largest Real Estate practice in the UK. We work closely with colleagues in planning, construction, corporate, tax and finance. Our Affordable Housing practice is ranked by both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, with individual team members ranked. We form part of the Housing, Development and Regeneration (HDR) team which comprises 11 partners and 50 qualified lawyers, supported by a team of paralegals, advising on all aspects of residential development and housing led regeneration.

The HDR teams acts for house builders, mixed use developers, affordable housing providers, landowners (public and private) and investors. The affordable housing market is one of the most active and fastest growing areas of the real estate sector, driven by increased institutional investor interest, the Government’s ten-year, £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme targeting the delivery of 300,000 new homes over the next decade, and continuing demographic demand.

We have a large team specialising in the delivery of affordable housing development, acquisition, disposal and investment, acting for both traditional registered providers and a growing number of private sector and institutional investors entering the market. The team is supported by a wider cross firm team that provides transactional support to real estate led deals. Our large, experienced team and excellent client base delivers growth year on year, and strong resilience in a downturn.

We provide significant opportunities for progression and promotion, with bespoke training tailored to individual needs. We invest in each person and conduct regular reviews to help them achieve their career aspirations. The Affordable Housing team acts for registered providers and investors in the affordable housing sector.

The team’s areas of expertise includes:

  • acquisitions, disposals and exchanges of land and property (including S106 acquisitions)
  • Homes England and GLA grant funding arrangements
  • corporate support and debt raise work
  • structuring and intragroup arrangements
  • building licences and development agreements
  • development management agreements
  • institutional investment in the affordable housing sector
  • investor acquisitions and disposals of residential portfolios
  • joint venture structuring (with support from corporate/tax colleagues)

Our clients include:

  • Sanctuary Housing Association
  • Hyde Housing Association
  • Legal and General Affordable Homes
  • Bourneville Village Trust
  • Flint Housing Limited (backed by Morgan Stanley)
  • Social Housing REIT Plc
  • Metropolitan Housing Trust

We are looking for someone who has at least 6 years' post qualification experience in similar fields or in commercial property or development. Be prepared and eager to forge yourself a long and successful career acting on some exciting projects for top clients. You must be ready to learn, to work hard and to reap the benefits of joining a well-established and successful practice.

The opportunity to work for a firm that has been recognised as one of best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years. Excellent benefits, including:

  • A hybrid approach to office and remote working.
  • 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave
  • Private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
  • A generous pension allowance
  • Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
  • The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
  • Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
  • A range of health and wellbeing programmes
  • State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant
  • Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development

Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.

If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Arun Kainth at arun.kainth@gowlingwlg.com

Senior/Principal Associate - Affordable Housing in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK for 26 consecutive years. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer tailored training, generous benefits including a hybrid working model, and a vibrant work culture in our state-of-the-art Birmingham City Centre offices. Join us to be part of a leading team in affordable housing, where your contributions will make a real impact on communities and your career.

Gowling WLG

Contact Detail:

Gowling WLG Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Associate - Affordable Housing in Birmingham

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the affordable housing sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

Showcase Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in property law and affordable housing. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on and how you added value. This will help you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.

Prepare for Interviews

Do your homework before interviews! Understand the company’s recent projects and their role in the affordable housing market. Prepare thoughtful questions that show you're genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.

Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in affordable housing.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Associate - Affordable Housing in Birmingham

Property Law
Affordable Housing Expertise
Client Relationship Management
Title Due Diligence
Land Acquisition
Property Development
Portfolio Acquisition and Disposal

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in affordable housing and property law. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!

Show Your Passion:Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity! Share your enthusiasm for affordable housing and how you see yourself contributing to our team. A genuine interest can really make your application stand out.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements are easy to spot. This helps us quickly see what you bring to the table!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your details reach us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on property law, especially as it relates to affordable housing. Familiarise yourself with recent developments in the sector and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your expertise in title due diligence, land acquisition, and property development. Highlight any successful projects you've been involved in, especially those that required collaboration with local authorities or registered providers.

Understand the Team Dynamics

Research the Housing Development and Regeneration (HDR) team and their key clients. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their ongoing projects and how your skills can enhance client relationships within the team.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the firm's approach to affordable housing and their future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your career aspirations.