Associate – Real Estate – Manchester

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented Solicitor (2+ PQE) to join the Residential Development team within the Real Estate group of a top-tier UK law firm. With one of the largest and most respected real estate practices in the country, the team acts for some of the most recognised names in the industry, delivering market-leading advice on complex and high-profile residential development projects.

Summary

Job title: Associate

Location: Manchester (other locations considered)

Salary: £70,000 - £85,000 DoE

Experience: 2+ years’ PQE in commercial real estate, ideally some experience of working with developers, in particular housebuilders.

The Role

As part of the firms national team, you will work closely with a diverse client base to help deliver the UK Government’s ambitious housing targets. Clients include FTSE-listed housebuilders, national and regional developers, and major investors.

You will gain exposure to technically challenging and commercially rewarding work, supporting clients in acquiring both immediate and strategic land for development.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising developers, including housebuilders, on the acquisition of sites for development
• Drafting and negotiating sale/purchase contracts, option agreements, promotion agreements, and overage deeds
• Managing complex site acquisition transactions, including due diligence and title reviews
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships through daily engagement, attendance at industry events, and business development initiatives

Candidate Profile

• 2+ years’ PQE in real estate, with experience in residential development or site acquisition (housebuilder experience desirable)
• Strong technical skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Commercially astute, responsive, and client-focused
• A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills
• Willingness to participate actively in business development and networking opportunities

Apply

This is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated real estate Solicitor to join a market-leading Residential Development team and work with some of the most high-profile clients in the sector. The role offers genuine scope for career progression & high-quality work.