Senior Commercial Real Estate Solicitor Associate Director/Director in Manchester

Driven by increased client demand and a clear strategic vision for growth, we are seeking a talented and commercially astute senior commercial property solicitor to join our team at Associate Director or Director level. The successful candidate will take ownership of our commercial property offering - defining its direction, expanding its client base, and building and developing their own team. This is an exceptional senior leadership opportunity for an ambitious commercial property lawyer ready to build and lead their own team - with the full backing of the firm and the broader Leonard Curtis group. This is a rare platform role: you will not simply join a team, you will shape one.

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales
• 8 years' post-qualification experience
• Strong track record across commercial property matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leases and advising both landlords and tenants
• Excellent technical drafting skills and strong knowledge of commercial property law and practice
• Demonstrable experience advising on the real estate aspects of corporate transactions including M&A and demergers
• Experience in advising on property finance matters including advising on development and investment lending
• Experience of advising in the healthcare and education sectors would be desirable but not essential
• Experience supervising and developing junior lawyers and support staff
• Ability to manage a complex and varied caseload, often across multiple concurrent transactions, delegate effectively and maintain high quality
• Proven ability to build strong client relationships and secure repeat work
• Comfortable with business development, networking and profile-raising activity
• Commercial, solutions-focused mindset with clear communication and strong team orientation

You will be responsible for the strategic development and day-to-day leadership of the commercial property practice, supporting our existing clients whilst identifying and pursuing new opportunities supported by the firm and the wider Leonard Curtis group's established network.

• Advise on a broad range of commercial property matters including acquisitions and disposals, portfolio management, commercial leases and licences, landlord and tenant issues and property finance transactions
• Collaborate closely with the Corporate team on transactional matters including M&A and demergers, providing integrated real estate advice as part of wider deal structures
• Lead and develop a growing commercial property team, setting standards, mentoring junior lawyers and shaping the team's culture and service offering
• Take the lead on strategy for expanding the practice, identifying target sectors, client opportunities and new service lines
• Advise on distressed real estate matters where required, drawing on the expertise of the wider Leonard Curtis group (desirable but not essential)
• Drive client development activity, building long-term relationships and growing revenue across existing and new clients
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, agents, lenders and other professional contacts
• Contribute to team management, including planning, delegation, quality control and promoting a high-performance culture
• Lead and support business development, including networking, pitches, proposals, events and profile-raising