Head of Real Estate

JMC Legal Recruitment; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

JMC Legal Recruitment is helping a North West–based, L500-ranked practice recruit a Head of Real Estate to lead a high-calibre team. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on, complex transactional work and a focus on growth and profile-raising.

You will drive business development, mentor partners, and shape the department's direction while benefiting from strong financial backing and a supportive culture that rewards achievement through collaborative growth.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' PQE with demonstrable leadership experience.
• Strong track record in landlord/tenant, commercial leasing and transactional support.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire a fee-earning team.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with drive to grow a department.
• Commercially minded with strong client relationships and business development instinct.
• Collaborative by nature and able to work alongside partnership colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Real Estate department, setting strategy and development plan.
• Manage own complex transactional caseload while driving the team's direction.
• Identify growth opportunities and lead business development and profile-raising activity.
• Mentor and succession plan to ensure ongoing capability and reputation growth.
• Oversee client relationships and ensure high-quality, efficient service.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Client relationships

Collaboration

Real estate

Team management

Education

Qualified Real Estate Partner

Job description

Head of Real Estate | L500 Ranked Practice | Complex Transactional Work

This entrepreneurial and expanding law firm is seeking an experienced Real Estate Partner to take on a Head of Department role, leading their highly regarded team. With strong financial backing, excellent cross-departmental referral networks and a culture of genuine support and growth, this is a standout opportunity for a senior real estate lawyer ready to step into a leadership position and shape the direction of a thriving practice.

The Firm

This is a modern, commercially focused firm with Legal 500 recognition and an outstanding track record of onboarding senior lawyers and investing in their long-term success. Many of its current partners have joined from Top 100 and Legal 500 ranked firms, attracted by the chance to build thriving practices with genuine financial and strategic backing behind them. The firm places particular emphasis on giving partners autonomy, realistic targets and the resources needed to grow. Their proven model has enabled multiple partners to significantly expand their client bases and teams, and that same commitment to long-term investment underpins this appointment. With a growing presence across the North West, the firm continues to go from strength to strength, offering a collaborative and ambitious platform for senior lawyers who want to make a real impact.

The Role

This is not simply a fee-earning partner position. As Head of Real Estate, you will take overall responsibility for the leadership, strategy and development of the department. In addition to managing your own caseload of complex transactional work, you will be driving the commercial direction of the team, identifying growth opportunities and playing a central role in business development and profile-raising activity. You will also take responsibility for team management, mentoring and succession planning, ensuring the department continues to grow in both capability and reputation.

The caseload will include:

• Commercial lease renewals and extensions
• Landlord and tenant matters
• Corporate support and real estate elements of transactional work
• General commercial property portfolio management

The platform and infrastructure are already in place for you to hit the ground running, with full marketing and business development support available from day one.

The Ideal Candidate

• A qualified Real Estate Partner with 8 or more years' PQE and demonstrable leadership experience
• Strong track record across landlord and tenant, commercial leasing and transactional support work
• Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire a team of fee earners
• Entrepreneurial outlook with the drive to grow a department within a well-resourced and supportive firm
• Commercially minded with strong client relationship skills and a genuine business development instinct
• Collaborative by nature and able to work effectively alongside existing partnership colleagues

What's on Offer

• A Head of Department role within a Legal 500 ranked firm with exciting growth plans
• The opportunity to shape and lead a real estate practice at a pivotal point in the firm's development
• Work alongside partners from prestigious Top 100 and national firm backgrounds
• Significant financial and operational backing to support business development and team growth
• Realistic targets and a collaborative, entrepreneurial partnership culture
• Highly competitive remuneration package with an achievable bonus structure
• Modern offices in the North West with flexible, hybrid working

This is a rare opportunity to step into a genuine leadership role within a progressive and growing firm, where your contribution as Head of Real Estate will carry real weight and be properly supported.

With a strong foundation already in place and an ambitious firm behind you, you will be well positioned to take this department to the next level.