At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Real Estate Development team and work on exciting property projects.
- Company: Lester Aldridge, a leading law firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment with regular socials and modern office space.
- Why this job: Make an impact in high-value developments while building strong client relationships.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 0-5 years PQE and a passion for property development.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Lester Aldridge has an exciting opportunity for an ambitious Development Solicitor, from newly qualified up to 5 years PQE, to join our busy and highly regarded Real Estate Development team in Southampton.
We are seeking someone with strong technical skills, sound commercial judgement and a genuine interest in the property development sector.
The successful candidate will undertake a broad range of residential and commercial development work, acting for residential housebuilders, care home developers, commercial developers, landowners, investors, funders, care home operators and hotel operators throughout the lifecycle of development projects.
The role also includes the opportunity to work with our healthcare team on wider real estate matters including primary development, new SEN schools, investment and funding.
Additionally the role offers the opportunity to work on high-value and strategically important developments, from site acquisition through to disposal and ongoing asset management.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a broad skillset within a highly regarded team and to play a key role in supporting complex, high-value development projects.
At LA, client service is a priority across the firm.
We are constantly looking for ways to add value to the services we offer and aim to mirror this in our work ethic, balancing quality of life and quality of work while meeting the varying needs of our clients.
If you are looking to develop your career working with a varied client base, then this could be perfect for you.
About the Team
Our Real Estate Development team advises developers and landowners on a wide range of matters relating to property development.
The team’s core work involves advising developers on the acquisition of land for development, with a particular focus on residential and mixed-use development.
We also advise on specialist development projects.
On the residential side, we act for retirement housebuilders and providers of housing with care.
On the non-residential side, we advise care home developers, hotel developers, and developers of commercial and industrial buildings.
Our Real Estate team is recognised for advising on a broad range of high-quality development projects across the region as well as nationally.
We act for clients across the residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality sectors, delivering practical, commercially focused advice throughout the development lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic land acquisitions and disposals.
- Conditional contracts, promotion agreements and option agreements.
- Site assembly and development structuring.
- Residential development schemes for national and regional housebuilders.
- Development projects involving care homes, retirement living and assisted living facilities, healthcare centres, SEN schools, children’s homes
- Acquisitions, disposals and development of commercial and mixed-use schemes.
- Acquisitions, development and operational property matters for care home operators, GPs, children’s homes and SEN school providers
- Hotel acquisition, development and operational asset management matters.
- Supporting financing and corporate transactions involving development and operational real estate assets.
- Managing transactions from instruction through to completion.
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Offering practical, commercial and innovative solutions and strategic advice.
- Supporting both regional and nationwide clients.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across Real Estate, Planning, Construction, Corporate and Banking teams.
- Promoting the firm’s core values.
Skills and Experience
We are interested in candidates who
- Are qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales with between NQ and 5 years PQE.
- Have some experience of development work gained during training or post-qualification practice.
- Possess strong technical and drafting skills.
- Demonstrate excellent organisational and matter management abilities.
- Have strong attention to detail and commercial awareness.
- Communicate clearly and confidently, both in writing and verbally.
- Enjoy building relationships with clients and colleagues.
- Are proactive, enthusiastic and keen to develop their career within a leading development practice.
- Work well collaboratively as part of a supportive team.
What We Offer
- Exposure to high-quality and complex development work.
- Direct client contact and responsibility from an early stage.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Structured training and development opportunities.
- Clear opportunities for career progression.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements from our Southampton office.
- A broad range of work across residential, commercial, healthcare and hospitality development.
- The opportunity to work with local, regional and national clients.
- A friendly, welcoming environment with modern office space and regular socials.
Benefits
- Work-life balance
- hybrid and flexible working arrangements from our Southampton office with the beautiful south coast on your doorstep.
- Progression
- a competitive salary and benefits package with performance-based opportunities for career development.
- Autonomy and support
- handle and develop your own caseload with appropriate support from the team and the wider LA family and infrastructure.
- Variety
- a broad range of work across multiple development sectors; no two days are the same.
- Hands-on experience
- a client-facing role, working closely with local, regional and national clients and operating at the forefront of the property development sector.
- A welcoming environment
- a friendly, supportive team, modern office space and regular socials.
- A real opportunity
- carve a niche for yourself in this dynamic and exciting area of real estate.
Development Solicitor in Southampton employer: Lester Aldridge
Lester Aldridge is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages personal growth, all while being part of a firm that is committed to strategic excellence in business development. Located in a vibrant area, the firm provides a unique advantage for networking and engaging with key industry players.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Solicitor in Southampton
✨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 Lester Aldridge.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Lester Aldridge? 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 Lester Aldridge's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Solicitor in Southampton
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 Development Solicitor role at Lester Aldridge, 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 Lester Aldridge
✨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 Lester Aldridge 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 Lester Aldridge. 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 Lester Aldridge.
