Senior Associate / Managing Associate – Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus (dependent on experience)

Flexible working considered

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is helping a large UK law firm in Leeds recruit a Senior Associate / Managing Associate specialising in Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure. The role focuses on land and property advice for operators across acquisitions, development and estate management.

You will collaborate with colleagues across corporate, employment, tax, planning, IP and disputes to deliver joined-up advice and client relationships within a national team. 4+ years PQE and Leeds-based.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales.
• 4+ years’ PQE with strong real estate experience (ideally with exposure to retail, leisure or hospitality assets).
• Confident drafting and negotiation skills across commercial property documentation.
• Commercial, pragmatic approach and ability to work at pace.
• Strong client handling skills and a collaborative working style.
• Desirable experience advising operator clients (pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels or wider leisure).
• Experience of portfolio re-gears and high-volume transactional programmes.

Responsibilities

• Advising on freehold and leasehold site acquisitions and disposals.
• Supporting development and pre-let arrangements.
• Handling portfolio work, including re-gears and estate optimisation.
• Advising on day-to-day estate management matters, including landlord and tenant work.
• Drafting and negotiating licences, variations, easements and ancillary agreements.
• Spotting operator-specific issues that sit alongside real estate and bringing in specialist support where needed.
• Building strong client relationships and contributing to business development.
• Collaborating with colleagues across the national team and wider firm.

Skills

Drafting & negotiation

Commercial property knowledge

Client relationship management

Work at pace

Collaborative working style

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Senior Associate / Managing Associate - Drinks, Hospitality & Leisure

Location: Leeds

Salary: £70,000 to £90,000 plus bonus (guideline, depending on experience)

Experience: 4+ years PQE

This is a brilliant chance to join a specialist national team advising operators in the drinks, hospitality and leisure sector. The work is property-led, fast-paced and commercially grounded, supporting clients who are actively acquiring, developing, optimising and transacting across large estates.

You will work closely with colleagues across corporate, employment, tax, planning, IP and disputes to deliver joined-up advice that reflects how the sector operates in practice.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising on freehold and leasehold site acquisitions and disposals
• Supporting development and pre-let arrangements
• Handling portfolio work, including re-gears and estate optimisation
• Advising on day-to-day estate management matters, including landlord and tenant work
• Drafting and negotiating licences, variations, easements and ancillary agreements
• Spotting operator-specific issues that sit alongside real estate (for example TUPE, TOGC, capital allowances and licensing or regulatory touchpoints) and bringing in specialist support where needed
• Building strong client relationships and contributing to business developmentCollaborating with colleagues across the national team and wider firm

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
• 4+ years’ PQE with strong real estate experience (ideally with exposure to retail, leisure or hospitality assets)
• Confident drafting and negotiation skills across commercial property documentation
• Commercial, pragmatic approach and ability to work at pace
• Strong client handling skills and a collaborative working style

Desirable

• Experience advising operator clients (pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels or wider leisure)
• Experience of portfolio re-gears and high-volume transactional programmes
• Interest in developing a profile in the hospitality and leisure sector

What’s On Offer

• Salary guideline £70,000 to £90,000 plus bonus (depending on experience)
• High-quality, sector-focused work with strong client exposure
• National platform with cross-office collaboration and specialist support
• Clear progression pathway with leadership support
• Supportive, inclusive culture with a focus on recognition, development and wellbeing

About Our Client

Our client is a large, full-service UK law firm with a national footprint and a strong reputation for technical excellence and commercial delivery. The firm is known for its collaborative culture and commitment to developing its people, with clear progression pathways and strong support for networking and relationship building.

Location & Working Arrangements

• Leeds
• Full-time, permanent role
• Flexible working considered