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- Tasks: Provide expert property advice and manage legal processes for HS2 projects.
- Company: Join HS2 Ltd, a leader in infrastructure development with a commitment to inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits fund, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major infrastructure projects while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in property law and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 46406 - 54595 £ per year.
Base salary: £46406 pa to £54595 pa depending on skills and experience. In addition, we offer flexible benefits fund of 20% which is paid on top base salary and is fully pensionable, as well as a range of competitive benefits – check them out in the Benefits section on our website.
HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities.
As the Property Counsel you will provide a full range of property advice to HS2 and key internal stakeholders with a particular focus on utilities and statutory undertaker work, in order to minimise exposure and risk whilst ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations and timely delivery of property requirements and with minimal supervision.
About the role:
- Assisting with the provision of high quality legal support on all aspects of property law in connection with HS2, including the acquisition and disposal of a very diverse range of properties comprising high value commercial, residential & agricultural properties; disposal of properties; granting and taking leasehold interests; landlord and tenant matters; granting licences and easements to utilities and other stakeholders; and related template documentation. In all cases providing advice in such a way so as to ensure that the business is not exposed to undue risk and that consistent standards are adhered to
- Assisting with legal agreements, easements, acquisitions and disposals and legal process relating to utilities, telecoms and other statutory undertakers and similar third parties, protecting HS2\’s interests, its ability to discharge its role as nominated undertaker and agent for the Secretary of State and facilitating the construction of the railway and the management and operation of railway infrastructure
- Handling, under appropriate supervision, own case load of a variety of complex property/compulsory purchase matters which in some cases will include drafting and negotiating bespoke agreements.
• Assisting with researching and advising on HS2 Act powers and conducting research into relevant legislation, case law and procedures to ensure HS2 remains up to date and compliant and report to colleagues as necessary - Assisting with HS2 office portfolio related matters, including taking leases of operational office space and associated documents; licences to occupy; telecommunications licences and management of property portfolio
- Assisting the HS2 land and property team with commercial matters, including commercial contracts, costs agreements and confidentiality agreements.
• When required, managing the provision of external legal support including responsibility for managing and monitoring cost, assisting with the setting of budget and timescales and managing quality.
• Drafting, updating, and maintaining standard form template documentation in order to continuously improve performance, compliance and consistency across the business and effective working practices - Assisting in the preparation of legal advice and other reports and briefings for staff across HS2, including senior management, to maintain open communication and support decision making and attend internal governance meetings with colleagues and provide advice at such meetings, including to senior members of staff. Updating and maintaining databases relating to property acquisitions to ensure accurate and relevant data is available for audit purposes and to advise and inform decision making
- Actively promoting and embedding Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI
About you:
Skills
- Ability to produce and present complex documents and reports to a variety of audiences, including internal stakeholders at various levels in the organisation
- Ability to prepare complex legal drafting without supervision
- Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation and externally, and to build effective working relationships
- Problem-solving skills, including working without established precedent or procedure
- Ability to balance and prioritise numerous tasks, while maintaining attention to detail, and to deliver to agreed deadlines
- Advanced planning and organisational skills
- Flexible approach with experience of working within a multidisciplinary team on a wide range of property legal issues.
Knowledge:
- Qualified solicitor with post-qualification experience in property law.
- A working knowledge gained in house or in private practice dealing with government departments, utilities and/or transport undertakers
- A working knowledge of negotiating and completing legal agreements, easements, acquisitions and disposals and legal process relating to utilities, telecoms and other statutory undertakers and similar third parties
Type of experience:
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team with a large and varied caseload on a range of land and property issues
- Experience advising on or in connection with development, construction or infrastructure projects and or utilities
- Experience of advising on a range of property transactions
- Experience of managing the provision of legal services within defined budgets/scopes
- Experience of serving as the main point of contact to clients
The post-holder is expected to behave at all times in a manner consistent with the HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect
It is expected that you will actively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.
As HS2 Ltd do not hold a sponsorship license from the Home Office, we are not able to provide sponsorship to any applicant. Applicants must already have the Right to Work in the UK at the time of application and our process involves a Right to Work validation prior to the interview stage. Note, there are certain types of time-bound visas that we cannot accept.
Any offers made to applicants will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks which include Nationality & Immigration Status, employment references, DBS, Financial and Education checks.
We ask for a variety of detail in your online application, however we perform the first assessment of suitability for a role based solely on the information in your CV. In a further development of our efforts to create a more diverse workforce, your CV will be anonymised and personal information will be removed during the first stage of the application review. This removes bias from the process and makes it even more important that you attach an updated word version of your CV for each new application ensuring you include evidence directly related to the criteria in the job advert.
Watch this video on how we remove bias in the recruitment process: Removing bias in the recruitment process )
Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Property Counsel employer: High Speed Two (HS2)
Contact Detail:
High Speed Two (HS2) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the property law field, especially those connected to HS2. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching HS2's projects and values. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for property law and how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm for the role show!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you note. It’s a simple gesture that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Property Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Property Counsel role. Highlight your experience in property law, especially with utilities and statutory undertakers. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: When filling out your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Give examples of complex legal drafting or stakeholder management. This helps us see you in action.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex legal matters!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can check out all the benefits we offer while you're there!
How to prepare for a job interview at High Speed Two (HS2)
✨Know Your Property Law Inside Out
As a Property Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of property law. Brush up on key concepts, especially those related to utilities and statutory undertaker work. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
You'll be influencing stakeholders at various levels, so prepare examples that highlight your ability to build effective working relationships. Think about times when you successfully navigated complex negotiations or managed diverse teams.
✨Be Ready for Complex Document Drafting
Expect questions about your experience with legal drafting. Bring examples of complex documents you've prepared and be prepared to discuss your approach to ensuring compliance and minimising risk in your work.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities
The role requires strong problem-solving skills, especially when working without established precedents. Prepare to share specific instances where you've tackled challenging issues, detailing your thought process and the outcomes.
