Legal Counsel

untypical; Shirley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus Scheme

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Private medical insurance

Holiday Buy Scheme

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

FQPS Academy Ltd. is seeking a Legal Counsel to join our growing residential developer team and act as the primary legal contact for two regional offices (Bedford or Bury St. Edmunds). You will provide comprehensive legal advice across real estate, contracts, corporate and construction matters, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer.

This is a strategic role offering independence, risk management, and opportunities to shape governance and processes as the business expands across the regions.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 4–6 years PQE.
• Housebuilder experience is a plus, not essential.
• Strong real estate, corporate, construction or litigation background.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the go-to legal expert for two regional offices.
• Advise on real estate, commercial contracts, corporate, construction and litigation matters.
• Support the CLO and manage legal risks with proactive risk management.
• Lead land acquisition input with external advisers and finance partners.
• Track litigation and provide strategic direction to resolve disputes and improve customer service.
• Oversee external lawyers, budgets and spend for cost-effective support.
• Assist with Companies House registrations, board meeting prep, and governance.
• Develop precedents, policies and best practices to support transformation.
• Lead initiatives to improve processes and champion legal tech adoption.

Job description

Bringing together two trusted housebuilding brands, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, untypical aims to make a positive difference to the UK housebuilding market and help to provide greater access to homes which are affordable for buyers.

Guided by an innovative approach and a commitment to excellence, untypical focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive communities, delivering homes across the UK that people want to live in and are good for the planet.

The untypical Group is comprised of Tilia Homes Limited and Hopkins Homes Limited and is backed by the European private equity firm, Terra Firma.

Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Bonus Scheme
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Holiday Buy Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

About The Role

We have an additional Legal Counsel vacancy that could be based from either of our Bedford or Bury St. Edmunds offices.

We’re an ambitious, growing residential developer looking for a Legal Counsel to join our dynamic team. This is a strategic, high-impact position where you’ll work independently as the primary legal point of contact for two regional offices, reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer.

You’ll provide comprehensive legal advice across all areas of the business, acting as a trusted adviser to stakeholders at every level. This is an opportunity to influence key decisions, shape processes, and drive efficiencies as we grow.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the go-to legal expert for two regional offices
• Advise the business on a wide range of matters: real estate, commercial contracts, corporate, construction, litigation
• Support the CLO and work closely with the business to identify and mitigate legal risksand drivers to support proactive risk management
• Provide high level input on land acquisition deals (using third party finance) in close partnership with the business and external legal advisers
• Track and manage litigation and support the CLO to give strategic direction to the business to resolve legal disputes and drive customer service excellence
• Manage and grow relationships with external lawyers and oversee legal budgets and spendto ensure cost effective and high-quality support
• Assist with Companies House registrations and administration, board meeting preparation and execution and corporate governance requirements
• Develop precedents, policies, and best practices to support business transformation
• Lead and deliver project initiatives that drive process and practice improvements across the business
• Champion legal tech adoption and innovative solutions to improve efficiency

About You

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 4–6 years PQE (housebuilder experience is a plus, not essential)
• Solid training from a reputable (top tier) law firm and/or business
• Background in real estate, corporate, construction or litigation
• Strong technical skills and an ability to think strategically in line with the company’s values and goals and risk generally
• Exceptional communication skills and stakeholder management experience across all levels
• Capable of working independently and experienced in taking the initiative and responsibility for delivery of outcomes
• Methodical with an excellent attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple matters and relationships and prioritise appropriately
• Thrives in a fast paced environment staying calm and considered under pressure

untypical operate across four regions in England – Eastern, Western, Central and Anglia. We’re committed to making a positive difference in the local areas we build new homes. We create neighbourhoods with a real lasting impact - the kind of community that people can be proud of for generations to come. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and diverse employer of choice and take pride in building careers, not just communities.

Terra Firma has a 30-year track record of investing in transformational private equity, operational real estate and infrastructure plus. Since 1994, Terra Firma has invested €18 billion in 40 businesses with an aggregate enterprise value of over €51 billion. Terra Firma manages and advises its own investment funds, and acts as a private equity advisor with institutional capabilities to a variety of other investment partners, including family offices and private individuals.

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

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