At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team in real estate development, managing land acquisitions and client relationships.
- Company: Top 45 UK commercial law firm with a collaborative culture and ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Agile working, generous holiday, strong pension, and a focus on wellbeing and inclusion.
- Other info: Extensive training and mentoring opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be part of a leading residential development team and make a real impact in the sector.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PQE in real estate, with strong negotiation and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Our client, a top 45 full-service UK commercial law firm with 13 offices nationally and around 1,300 staff, is building one of the most ambitious residential development practices in the country. Its Housebuilding & Strategic Land (HSL) team is one of the fastest-growing residential development teams in the UK, having tripled in size over the last four years. The team now includes more than 100 lawyers across the wider sector group and acts for all top-10 UK housebuilders, alongside local and national developers, housing associations, landowners, local authorities, investors and promoters. Each year the team advises on land acquisitions with a combined gross development value of £10bn or more, and it was recently recognised as Legal Team of the Year at a leading national property awards programme.
As the team continues to grow, our client is looking for a Real Estate lawyer to join its Leeds office and play an active role in the next stage of that growth.
About the Role
The firm is keen to hear from ambitious lawyers (from circa 3 years PQE) who enjoy working closely with clients, building relationships, and delivering commercially focused advice. Experience acting for housebuilders and residential developers would be advantageous, but the firm is equally interested in lawyers with broader commercial property development, regeneration, infrastructure, strategic land or investment experience who want to build their expertise in the residential development sector.
Experience
- Essential
- Solid real estate experience gained within a commercial property, development or residential development practice
- Experience managing land acquisition transactions and building client relationships
- Strong due diligence, drafting, negotiation and project management skills
- Desirable
- Acting for housebuilders, developers, promoters, landowners, housing associations or local authorities
- Exposure to development transactions including conditional contracts, unconditional contracts, options, overages, site assembly and infrastructure agreements
- Experience with affordable housing transactions
- Knowledge of strategic land, promotion or collaboration agreements
Candidates don't need experience across all of these areas. The firm provides extensive training, mentoring and support from colleagues across its national HSL team, with opportunities to develop expertise across the full spectrum of residential development and strategic land work.
Why Join
This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most experienced residential development teams, working on market-leading projects for high-quality clients within a supportive and ambitious culture. The firm is committed to helping its people succeed — whether that means developing technical expertise, strengthening client relationships, building a specialism, or progressing towards partnership — with clear, structured career pathways and ongoing support. Colleagues describe the culture as genuinely collaborative, with regular manager check-ins (every 6–12 weeks), a dedicated career sponsor, and active mentoring and network groups for lawyers at every stage.
Alongside exciting work and genuine career opportunities, the firm offers:
- Agile and flexible working
- Enhanced family-friendly leave, including extended maternity/shared parental and paternity pay
- Generous holiday entitlement with a buy/sell scheme
- A strong pension contribution structure
- A firm-wide focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and helping every employee reach their full potential
- The firm holds B Corp certification and is listed as a Leading Firm in the Legal 500, reflecting its wider commitment to responsible business practice.
Does this Sound Like a Match? If you're someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, this firm would love to hear from you.
Real Estate Development/Housebuilder Senior Associate/Managing Associate - 3- 10 years PQE - Leeds employer: Think Legal Recruitment
Join a top 45 full-service UK commercial law firm in Leeds, renowned for its ambitious residential development practice and collaborative culture. With a commitment to employee growth, the firm offers extensive training, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on wellbeing, ensuring that every team member can thrive while working on high-profile projects for leading clients. Experience a supportive environment where your career aspirations are nurtured, and enjoy generous benefits including enhanced family leave and a robust pension scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Real Estate Development/Housebuilder Senior Associate/Managing Associate - 3- 10 years PQE - Leeds
✨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 Think Legal Recruitment.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Think Legal Recruitment? 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 Think Legal Recruitment's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Real Estate Development/Housebuilder Senior Associate/Managing Associate - 3- 10 years PQE - Leeds
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 Real Estate Development/Housebuilder Senior Associate/Managing Associate - 3- 10 years PQE - Leeds role at Think Legal Recruitment, 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 Think Legal Recruitment
✨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 Think Legal Recruitment 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 Think Legal Recruitment. 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 Think Legal Recruitment.
