Head of Property Legal UK & Europe

JD GROUP; Bury; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company is seeking a Head of Property Legal for the UK & Europe. This role entails managing real estate legal matters, overseeing external legal teams, and ensuring compliance with landlord and tenant laws. The ideal candidate must have over 5 years of experience, with a background in portfolio management and a current Practising Certificate in England & Wales. Strong communication skills and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment are essential for success. Based in the United Kingdom.

Qualifications

• Registered to practise in England & Wales with current Practising Certificate.
• 5 years+ PQE required.
• Experience with portfolio management, preferably in a fast-paced team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee JD Group's European real estate lawyer network.
• Handle all aspects of store acquisitions in England & Wales.
• Provide legal and commercial opinions on property issues.

Skills

Registered to practise in England & Wales with current Practising Certificate

5 years+ PQE

Experience with portfolio management

Sound knowledge of landlord & tenant law in England & Wales

Ability to communicate effectively

Job description

Overview

Head of Property Legal UK & Europe – Job Description

Reporting to the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and Director of Group Acquisitions, this position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the JD Group’s existing and future store network across the UK & Europe.

This is a UK transactional focused role with approximately 70% of time dedicated to UK leasehold acquisition and estate work and approximately 30% to European liaison and oversight.

Responsibilities

Europe

• High level oversight of JD Group’s European real estate lawyer network, both in-house legal teams and external panel firms
• Regular liaison with in-house lawyers within the JD Group across Europe to support with best practice and standardisation of approach
• Periodic travel to JD Group’s offices within Europe (Alicante, Paris and Krakow)

UK and Ireland

• Dealing in-house (England & Wales) with all aspects of store acquisitions, upsizes and relocations including reviewing initial heads of terms, conditional agreements for lease, leases, licences to alter, surrenders and general acquisition due diligence (including reviewing title, searches and planning)
• Dealing in-house (England & Wales) with all aspects of JD Group’s estate management including lease renewals, regears, refits and other ancillary estate management documents
• Advising JD Group’s subsidiaries on acquisitions and estate management including JD Gyms and Go Outdoors
• Providing support for any JD Group warehousing and head office estate management requirements
• Instructing external panel solicitors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and maintaining cost controls
• Dealing with SDLT filings, conveyancing searches and land registrations
• Assisting with property related due diligence as part of corporate acquisitions, reviewing SPAs and disclosure letters and advising on risk mitigation including appropriate warranties and indemnities
• Liaising with internal stakeholders including acquisition managers, estate managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, designers, maintenance, site research, finance and tax
• Where appropriate, liaising with external contacts including letting agents, building surveyors, asset managers, landlords and planning consultants
• General ad hoc property advice including title reviews and disputes (with external support as appropriate)
• Direct line management of a supporting in-house UK real estate solicitor
• Supporting JD Central Legal with any property related issues (for instance commercial agreements with property involvement)
• Attending external CPD events and reporting back any relevant new developments to the Acquisitions and Estates teams

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Registered to practise in England & Wales with current Practising Certificate
• 5 years+ PQE
• Experience with portfolio management (whether on behalf of landlords or tenants)
• Sound knowledge of landlord & tenant law in England & Wales
• Some knowledge of landlord & tenant law in Scotland / Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland preferable but not essential
• Experience of working in a fast-paced team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with various internal teams
• Ability to offer both legal and commercial opinions on issues arising