Residential Property Solicitor — Associate to Legal Director (Manchester) | Up to £80,000

£50,000–£65,000, with scope up to £80,000 at Legal Director level + performance-related bonus. Manchester — hybrid, 3 days office / 2 days home with no fixed office days.

Summary: Residential Property Solicitor, Manchester. £50,000–£80,000 depending on level, hybrid working, capped caseload and genuine scope to lead and grow a team. For an experienced Residential Property Solicitor, this is a chance to make a move that changes more than the name above the door. You’ll inherit a full caseload from day one, but volumes are deliberately capped at 60 matters. The emphasis is on quality rather than pushing files through as quickly as possible, backed by a maximum annual hours expectation of 1,200.

At Associate, Senior Associate or Legal Director level, there is also something more substantial on offer: the opportunity to become a key senior figure for residential property in Manchester and, if you want the progression, help build and manage the team around you.

What’s different about this role:

• A capped caseload: You’ll typically handle around 40–60 matters, with 60 as the ceiling.
• A genuine leadership opportunity: The Manchester residential property offering is at an early stage of its growth.
• Management experience isn’t essential: You need to be open to leading people, but you don’t need to have managed a team previously.
• Lower annual hours expectations: Annual hours are capped at 1,200, with further reductions where your role includes management or business development responsibilities.
• Hybrid working without fixed office days: The pattern is three days in the office and two from home, with flexibility over which days you attend.

What’s in it for you:

• £50,000–£65,000 typical salary range.
• Scope up to £80,000 for a Legal Director-level appointment.
• Performance-related bonus, dependent on seniority.
• Twice-yearly reward and recognition process with scope for salary or bonus increases where targets are exceeded.
• Maximum 1,200 annual hours, reduced further for management and business development responsibilities.
• Hybrid working: 3 days office / 2 days home.
• No fixed office days.
• 9am–5pm core hours with no clock-watching approach.
• Contribution towards city-centre parking if needed.
• Scope to lead the Manchester residential property offering and grow a team.
• Firmwide and office social activities / events.

The Work:

• Manage a residential property caseload of approximately 40–60 matters, capped at 60.
• Take responsibility for delivering a quality-led, client-focused conveyancing service.
• Work with an established flow of matters, giving you a full caseload from the outset.
• Take a leading role in developing the residential property offering in Manchester.
• Contribute to management and team growth as the department develops, with business development welcomed but not essential.

What We’re Looking For:

• Ideally a qualified Residential Property Solicitor with around 5–10 years’ PQE.
• Licensed Conveyancers and Legal Executives may also be considered.
• Strong residential conveyancing experience gained in a quality-focused environment.
• Comfortable managing your own caseload with a high degree of autonomy.
• An interest in taking on leadership and management responsibility, even if this would be your first formal management position.
• Business development capability would be useful but is not essential, as marketing support is available.

The Culture:

The working model is built around manageable volumes, autonomy and quality of service. Hybrid working is flexible within the three-day office pattern, while the annual hours cap is reduced where you take on management or business development responsibilities. For someone looking to progress, the growth of the Manchester offering creates room to take responsibility rather than waiting for an established position to become available.

Ready to step into an Associate to Legal Director Residential Property Solicitor role where you can combine a capped caseload with the scope to lead and grow a team? Apply now to learn more or contact James @ Wilson Mannion Recruitment for more information.