Senior Associate Property Development Solicitor

Yolk Recruitment Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Associate Property Development Solicitor in Reading. This role offers a hybrid working model and competitive salary starting at £60,000. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in property development law, manage varied caseloads, and help drive business development. Perks include 28 days' holiday, enhanced pension, private medical cover, and more.

Benefits

28 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Life assurance (5× salary)

Private medical cover

Birthday off

Weekly wellbeing hour

8 charity hours per year

Cycle-to-work scheme

Season-ticket loan

Bring-your-dog-to-work options

Qualifications

• Experienced in managing property development transactions.
• Ability to spot risks and identify opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop business.

Responsibilities

• Run your own caseload in development land.
• Conduct due diligence and reporting.
• Engage in secured acquisition and development finance work.
• Collaborate with partners without micromanagement.
• Drive business development through relationships in the industry.

Skills

5+ years PQE in property development law

Commercial thinking

Complex transaction handling

Client relationship building

Strong writing and communication

Job description

Overview

Think Big. Build Better. A Property Development Role Where You'll Actually Be Heard.

Opportunity: Senior Associate Property Development Solicitor

Location: Reading (Hybrid Working - 2 days a week in the office)

Salary: Starts from £60,000 and above (DOE)

About the Opportunity:

Ever felt stuck doing transactional work that lacks ambition? Here's a change-of-scene: Join a top-tier Development & House Building team in Reading. You'll be the kind of senior solicitor who gets both challenging deals and real autonomy. Hybrid style, just two days in the office, so you stay grounded with the team without losing flexibility and benefits that don't feel like afterthoughts!

What You Will Be Doing

• Running your own caseload in development land: acquisitions, disposals, plot sales, plot option agreements, deeds, contracts, etc.
• Due diligence and reporting - spot the risks early, steer things cleanly.
• Getting stuck into secured acquisition & development finance work.
• Working with partners, but you won't be micromanaged, you'll have space to think, suggest, innovate.
• Helping with business development: making, maintaining, growing relationships in the house-building / development world.

What Makes This Firm Different

• People first: the environment is supportive, friendly, down-to-earth but very sharp when it comes to legal work. You won't be just a cog.
• Real flexibility: Hybrid working model with 2 office days per week. Enough face-time for teamwork; enough remote to recharge.
• Perks that matter: 28 days holiday, enhanced pension, life assurance (5× salary), private medical cover. But also, things you really notice: your birthday off, weekly wellbeing hour, 8 charity hours per year, cycle-to-work scheme, season-ticket loan, even bring-your-dog-to-work options.
• Growth & visibility: This is a senior role. You'll work alongside a strong partner group, contribute to shape the development team's future, and see your work make impact, not just process.

You'll Be a Great Fit If You

• Have 5+ years PQE in property development law, especially development land, plot sales, plot option agreements, etc.
• Can handle complex transactions with minimal oversight but also know when to draw in the right people.
• Think commercially: spotting risks, balancing legal with practical, spotting opportunity.
• Are someone who builds connections - clients, agents, developers - and is comfortable (or wants to get more comfortable) with business-development.
• Communicate well. Write well. Deal with detail, but don't lose the big picture.

Why You Might Love It Here

Because this isn't just another "lots of paperwork + long hours" gig. It's a chance to stretch, to build something with meaning: portfolios, sites, relationships. To keep the legal side rigorous and bring your personality & ideas. To enjoy benefits that treat you like a whole person, not just a billable hour.

Ready to see if this could be your next move?

If you're curious or quietly exploring, let's chat - no pressure, full confidentiality.

Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.

*Please note, whilst we do our best to contact all candidates, due to the high number of applications we receive we cannot guarantee this for every role. If you have not heard anything from us within 7 days of applying - then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful. Please keep an eye on our website for more opportunities.