Legal Director

Y. T. REALTY GROUP LIMITED; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable real estate firm in the UK is seeking a seasoned legal professional to lead M&A activities and establish compliance frameworks. The successful candidate will have extensive experience (8-10+ years PQE) in UK real estate law, managing cross-border transactions, and a robust understanding of legal risk management. Key responsibilities include overseeing legal due diligence, litigation, and providing strategic legal advice to the board. Significant negotiation skills and team management experience are essential for this demanding position.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) in real estate law.
• Proven track record in large-scale real estate M&A transactions.
• Expert knowledge of UK real estate M&A and leasehold regulations.
• Proficient in drafting legal documents and negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead M&A and disposal of real estate projects.
• Establish real estate compliance framework.
• Manage in-house legal team and external law firms.
• Lead litigation and develop dispute resolution strategies.
• Provide legal advice to the board on M&A and investment.

Skills

Legal risk management

Real estate compliance

Negotiation skills

Team management

Communication with regulatory authorities

Education

Bachelor’s degree or above in law

Solicitor or Barrister qualification

Tools

Legal databases

Project management tools

Job description

Job Responsibilities & Requirements

Job Responsibilities

Full-cycle M&A Management

• Lead the M&A and disposal of real estate projects; oversee legal due diligence, title verification, and transaction structure design; draft and negotiate Share Purchase Agreements (SPA) , asset transfer agreements, as well as ancillary documents related to leasing and financing; drive transaction completion and post-completion integration.

Legal Risk & Compliance

• Establish a UK real estate compliance framework covering planning law, environmental regulations, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rules, leasehold legislation, and construction contracts (e.g., JCT / NEC contracts ); identify legal risks throughout the project lifecycle and provide tailored solutions.

Team & External Resource Management

• Lead the in-house legal team and formulate training and career development plans; manage external law firms, control legal costs and service quality; handle communication and liaison with regulatory authorities and government bodies.

Dispute Resolution

• Lead real estate-related litigation, arbitration, and mediation (e.g., lease disputes, construction claims, title disputes); develop dispute resolution strategies and safeguard the company’s legitimate rights and interests.

Strategic Support

• Provide legal advice on M&A, investment, and development initiatives to the board of directors to ensure the legality and feasibility of decision-making; participate in commercial negotiations and offer legal protection.

Job Requirements

• Qualified as a Solicitor or Barrister in the UK ; hold a bachelor’s degree or above in law; possess a thorough understanding of the UK real estate and corporate law framework.
• Have 8–10+ years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) with combined experience in law firms and in-house legal departments; have led large-scale UK real estate M&A transactions (including cross-border deals), with a proven track record of successful completions and expertise in complex transaction due diligence.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of UK real estate M&A, leasehold regulations, planning laws, construction legislation, and tax rules; be proficient in drafting English legal documents and skilled in negotiation; have solid experience in team management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Understand the full lifecycle of UK real estate development, investment, and operation; be familiar with the commercial logic and risk points of developers, investors, tenants, and lenders.
• Be proficient in English as a working language, capable of seamless communication with UK regulatory authorities and law firms; be skilled in using legal databases and project management tools.