Legal Counsel - Property

Project People; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure operator in the UK is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel (Property) to manage a national estate and provide expert property advice. You will lead drafting and negotiations, manage disputes, and work closely with stakeholders. The ideal candidate should be a qualified solicitor with commercial property experience, proficient in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This role offers a competitive salary package including a bonus and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Up to £90k salary

Car Allowance £5,460

12.5% Bonus

Pension contribution up to 10%

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with 5-8 years of PQE.
• Strong background in commercial property or property litigation.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on lease negotiations, acquisitions, disposals, and estate management.
• Manage property disputes under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
• Draft and approve documentation ensuring legal soundness.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 5-8 years PQE

Strong background in commercial property and/or property litigation

Proven expertise in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills

Resilient and organized in managing multiple projects

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Legal Counsel (Property) to join a leading UK infrastructure operator. You'll play a key role in managing a national estate of 20,000+ sites, delivering expert property advice, and shaping how critical infrastructure is managed across the country.

This is a hands-on position where you'll lead on drafting, negotiations, and dispute resolution, as well as managing external legal providers. You'll work closely with property colleagues and senior stakeholders, applying your expertise to deliver robust and pragmatic solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on lease negotiations, renewals, acquisitions, disposals, and estate management queries.

• Manage property disputes, including hostile notices under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.

• Apply knowledge of case law, valuation mechanisms, and planning considerations to protect estate interests.

• Draft and approve key documentation, ensuring outcomes are legally sound and commercially viable.

• Oversee external legal providers to ensure effective, value-added delivery within budget and timescales.

• Support process improvement, including use of the Electronic Communications Code.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives.

What We're Looking For

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 5-8 years PQE.

• Strong background in commercial property and/or property litigation.

• Proven expertise in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 - renewals, hostile notices, and security of tenure.

• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Resilient, organised, and confident managing multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience with volume portfolio management.

• High-volume dispute resolution/litigation.

• Telecoms sector experience / knowledge of the Electronic Communications Code.

• Health & Safety or regulatory exposure.

Why Apply?

• Up to £90k + Car Allowance £5 460 + 12.5% Bonus + Pension (up to a 10% company contribution)

• Join a collaborative, inclusive organisation at the forefront of the UK's digital infrastructure.

• Flexible working arrangements (remote, part-time, or non-standard hours available).

• A supportive environment committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Opportunity to work on high-profile property projects with national impact.

Project People is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.