Legal Counsel - Property Developments

Michael Page (UK); York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel in York and North Yorkshire. This role is pivotal in advising on land acquisition, drafting essential agreements, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws. The successful applicant will enjoy a competitive salary, company car or allowance, and extensive benefits including health care and life cover. Ideal candidates are solicitors with a strong background in affordable housing and planning law.

Benefits

Company car or allowance

Bonus scheme

Contributory pension

Health care

Life cover

Employee discounts

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a solicitor or equivalent.
• Experience in section 106 and infrastructure agreements.
• Skilled in risk analysis and title reporting.

Responsibilities

• Advise on land acquisition and development agreements.
• Draft and negotiate planning and infrastructure agreements.
• Conduct property due diligence and risk assessment.
• Manage relationships with external legal providers.

Skills

Solicitor or equivalent legal executive

Experience in affordable housing sales

Skilled in property due diligence

Familiar with planning law

Strong communication skills

Job description

Role Summary

• Lead on high‑profile property & development projects
• True in‑house role with growth & autonomy

About Our Client

This is a national homebuilder with a strong regional presence and a track record of delivering high-quality, award‑winning residential developments. They combine scale and stability with local autonomy, operating across multiple regional offices and employing a large, diverse workforce. The business invests heavily in people, career progression, training and diversity, and has a reputation for high customer satisfaction and industry standing. Working here means joining a business where legal plays a key strategic role and your work has real impact across land and development operations.

Job Description

The Legal Counsel will be:

• Advising on land acquisition, disposal and development agreements
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating infrastructure, planning and Section 106/106A agreements
• Conducting property due diligence, title reporting and risk assessment
• Supporting regional divisions and liaising with external stakeholders, including local authorities and funders
• Managing relationships with external legal providers where needed
• Assisting with planning, infrastructure and related consents as required
• Ensuring compliance with property, planning and development legislation and internal governance
• Occasional travel to divisional offices to support regional projects

The Successful Applicant

The Legal Counsel should be:

• A solicitor (or equivalent qualified legal executive) with demonstrated experience
• Experienced in affordable housing sales, section 106 and infrastructure agreements
• Skilled in property due diligence, title reporting and risk analysis
• Familiar with planning, infrastructure, development law and real estate contracts
• Advantageous: prior exposure to housebuilders, housing associations, or development pro‑projects
• Commercial mindset, strong communication skills and confident stakeholder engagement
• Technically capable, organised, and able to manage multiple files in a dynamic environment

What's on Offer

You’ll receive a competitive salary, plus a company car or car allowance (cash equivalent), bonus scheme, and contributory pension.

Health care, life cover and excellent employee benefits (discounts, wellbeing support, etc.) are included.

The role offers significant responsibility, exposure to strategic projects across the group, and clear routes for professional growth.

If you’re an experienced Legal Counsel with development experience, apply now or contact Michael Bailey for more information.