At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage diverse property cases and support complex transactions in affordable housing.
- Company: Join a top 100 law firm with a collaborative and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, enhanced pension, 25+ days leave, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in affordable housing while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in property law, strong client relations, and team collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Associate to join our Affordable Housing Property team within the Housing department, based in Leeds. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting commercial property, asset management, and acquisition and disposal work across a broad range of affordable housing matters. You will manage your own caseload with a high degree of autonomy, maintain strong client relationships, and demonstrate a proactive, client-facing approach. In addition, you will support Partners on more complex transactions and contribute to the supervision and development of paralegals within the team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and client-focused individual to join a collaborative, forward-thinking, and high-performing team within a well-established and growing practice. With a strong pipeline of work and an expanding national footprint in the affordable housing sector, the role offers the chance to develop specialist expertise while benefiting from genuine, structured career progression.
What will I be doing:
- Managing a diverse and varied caseload of commercial property and asset management work for registered providers, as well as supporting on development and acquisition work when required.
- Working alongside the partners and senior fee earners on larger and more involved transactions, including site acquisitions and development transactions for regional and national registered providers.
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships, contributing to business development through networking and training initiatives.
- Supporting junior team members, including trainees, paralegals, and legal support staff.
- Staying up to date with legal developments and undertake ongoing professional development to maintain expertise.
You’ll have:
- Ideally a minimum of 4 years PQE in property law, with a background in affordable housing or a combination of residential and commercial property.
- Demonstrable experience in handling commercial leases including new leases, renewals, surrenders and licences.
- Experience of acquisitions and disposals (ideally including work for or alongside registered providers).
- Confidence in dealing with clients and instructing officers directly.
- Strong drafting, analytical and negotiation skills.
- The ability to work independently and within a team, deliver accurate work under pressure, to tight deadlines and have a flexible approach.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a clear and logical approach.
- Strong planning skills, be highly organised and possess the ability to manage workload independently.
- A proactive, motivated, and commercially aware approach, with effective file management, IT skills, and financial discipline.
It would be great if you also had:
- Experience of affordable housing law.
- Familiarity with the Capital Funding Guide and the registered provider regulatory framework.
- Experience supporting large team transactions including use of data rooms.
About us:
We're proud to be an independent, full-service law firm providing exceptional legal expertise to businesses, the built environment, healthcare, the public and third sectors, and private individuals. With several office locations around the UK we're one of the UK's Top 100 law firms. When you join us you’ll be part of a team of over 500 passionate and talented individuals who take pride in offering an exciting and supportive environment allowing you to thrive.
What we can offer you:
- An enhanced pension scheme with employer matched contributions of up to 6%.
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (increasing to 28 days with length of service).
- Life assurance cover of 4 times basic salary, with the option to purchase additional cover.
- A range of health and wellbeing benefits.
- Hybrid working with a minimum requirement of 2 days per week working from one of our office locations.
If you would like to request further information or to discuss the role, please contact people@wardhadaway.com quoting vacancy reference NTX1207140.
Associate in Leeds employer: Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and forward-thinking work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion. With a strong commitment to professional development and structured career progression, employees in Leeds can thrive in a supportive environment while managing diverse caseloads in the affordable housing sector. The firm also provides a competitive benefits package, including enhanced pension contributions, generous annual leave, and flexible working options, making it an attractive choice for motivated legal professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the affordable housing sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute. Practice common interview questions, but also be ready to discuss your own experiences and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making you memorable. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining our team. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate role. Highlight your experience in affordable housing and property law, and show us how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Client-Facing Skills:Since this role involves maintaining strong client relationships, give examples of how you've successfully interacted with clients in the past. We want to see your proactive approach in action!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ward Hadaway LLP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of affordable housing law and the Capital Funding Guide. Familiarise yourself with recent cases or developments in the sector, as this will show your genuine interest and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience with commercial leases, acquisitions, and disposals. Be ready to discuss how you've managed your caseload and supported junior colleagues, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.
✨Client-Focused Mindset
Demonstrate your proactive, client-facing approach by sharing instances where you've built strong client relationships. Talk about how you’ve contributed to business development through networking or training initiatives, as this is key for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and opportunities for professional development. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also helps you gauge if the firm’s culture aligns with your values.
