Managing Associate – Real Estate (Housing & Development)

LHH; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH in Manchester is seeking an ambitious Senior Associate or Managing Associate to join a market-leading real estate team with a strong focus on affordable housing and regeneration work. The role is hands-on, client-facing with responsibility from day one.

You will own development transactions, advise clients, manage multiple matters, and mentor junior lawyers while contributing to business development efforts in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (SRA or Law Society Registered) with ability to run transactions independently.
• Strong experience in residential development and/or affordable housing.
• Commercially minded with ability to balance risk and practical solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple matters.
• Strong communication and credibility with clients.
• Experience mentoring junior lawyers and working in a collaborative team.
• Motivated by growth and a high-performing, expanding practice.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of transactions from instruction through to completion.
• Act as day-to-day lead contact for clients, providing clear, commercial advice.
• Manage multiple matters simultaneously within tight timescales.
• Work closely with developers, registered providers, funders and stakeholders to progress deals.
• Identify and manage risk while keeping transactions moving forward.
• Supervise and develop junior team members; delegate and review work.
• Contribute to client relationship management and business development initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisation

Commercial awareness

Client relationship management

Team supervision

Residential development experience

Affordable housing experience

Education

Solicitor qualification (SRA or Law Society Registered)

Job description

LHH is looking to recruit an ambitious Senior Associate or Managing Associate to join a market-leading real estate team, based in Manchester, with a strong focus on affordable housing and regeneration work.

Your Role

This is a hands-on, client-facing role with significant responsibility from day one. You will play a central part in delivering a broad range of development matters, including:

• Affordable housing development transactions (including s.106 schemes, golden brick, turnkey and package deals)
• Strategic land acquisitions and disposals
• Conditional contracts, options, promotion agreements, overage and collaboration agreements
• Leasehold structures, funding arrangements and portfolio management work for registered providers

You will be expected to:

• Take full ownership of transactions from initial instruction through to completion
• Act as the day-to-day lead contact for clients, providing clear, commercial and pragmatic advice
• Manage multiple matters simultaneously, often within tight timescales
• Work closely with developers, registered providers, funders and other stakeholders to progress deals efficiently
• Identify and manage risk, while keeping transactions moving forward
• Supervise, support and help develop junior team members, including delegating effectively and reviewing work
• Play an active role in client relationship management and contribute to business development initiatives

Your Skills and Experience

• A Qualified Solicitor (SRA or Law Society Registered), who is confident running transactions independently
• Strong experience in residential development and/or affordable housing work
• Commercially minded and able to balance legal risk with practical solutions
• Organised, proactive and comfortable managing a busy and varied workload
• Strong communication skills and be able to build credibility quickly with clients
• Experience of working as part of a collaborative team and supporting more junior lawyers
• Motivated by being part of a high-performing, growing practice