Senior In-House Property Lawyer

Haggerty Jaques; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned legal firm is seeking a Senior Legal Manager to lead the in-house legal team, ensuring comprehensive legal oversight across a complex property portfolio. This role involves managing internal and external teams, advising on regulatory matters, and influencing strategy within a reputable brand. The ideal candidate will bring at least 8 years of experience in property law and strong leadership capabilities. This exciting opportunity offers a hybrid working arrangement, competitive salary package, and leadership in a changing legal landscape.

Benefits

Car allowance

Bonus

Generous pension

Qualifications

• At least 8 years’ experience of running a complex property portfolio.
• A track record of delivering to project timelines in fast-moving environments.
• Experience of advising on large-scale estates, mixed-use developments, leasebacks, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal advice across Property, Planning, and Construction.
• Oversee legal oversight of a diverse portfolio.
• Manage and develop an internal legal team alongside external advisors.

Skills

Leadership

Legal expertise in property law

Project timeline management

Negotiation

Advisory on regulatory matters

Job description

IN-HOUSE SENIOR LEGAL MANAGER

PROPERTY, PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION | 8 PQE+

LEEDS | HYBRID WORKING

ATTRACTIVE PACKAGE INCLUDING CAR ALLOWANCE, BONUS & GENEROUS PENSION

Haggerty Jaques has been appointed to recruit a Senior Legal Property Manager for a high-profile in‑house legal team within a household name brand.

If you are currently in private practice and feeling the pull towards in‑house - without targets, time recording or the billable hour pressure - this role offers a rare and credible step across. If you are already working in‑house, this role offers breadth and depth of experience and opportunity and the chance to lead a team.

The Role – What You’ll Be Doing

This position involves the delivery of legal advice and support across Property, Construction and Planning, managing both internal capability and external legal providers.

You’ll be responsible for:

• End‑to‑end legal oversight of a large and varied property portfolio, including a mixed estate and tenanted portfolio (sale & leasebacks, leaseback and charged properties)
• Structuring arrangements with third parties and overseeing the negotiation and drafting of complex, bespoke documentation
• Advising on regulatory and competition considerations within a major retail estate
• Leading continuous improvement and delivering best‑in‑class contract advice across Property, Planning and Construction
• Owning MI and reporting across property contracts and repositories
• Supporting corporate governance for all Property, Planning and Construction contracts
• Attending senior investment, real estate and steering group meetings on major projects
• Driving transparency while helping the business deliver at pace

Leadership & Team

This is a people‑led role as much as a technical one.

You will:

• Manage and develop an internal legal team alongside external advisors
• Identify capability gaps and implement strategies for recruitment, development and succession planning
• Act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders across Property, Planning and Construction
• Play an active role within the wider legal leadership team

Many members of the legal function have been with the business for a long time - a strong signal of stability, culture and career longevity.

Who You’ll Work With

• Senior Directors and VPs across Property, Planning and Construction
• Project Managers across multiple business units
• Finance and governance stakeholders
• Internal legal leadership
• External legal suppliers and outsourced partners

About You

You’ll likely bring:

• At least 8 years’ experience of running a complex property portfolio
• A track record of delivering to project timelines in fast‑moving environments
• Experience of advising on large‑scale estates, mixed‑use developments, leasebacks or similar
• An inclusive, confident leadership style with experience of managing or mentoring
• The credibility and gravitas to operate at senior stakeholder level

Private practice lawyers with strong real estate experience are very much encouraged to apply. This role is well‑suited to someone ready to apply their expertise inside the business, closer to the decision‑making.

Why Make the Move In‑House?

• No targets. No time recording. No billable hours.
• Genuine flexibility and a grown‑up approach to work
• A strong, values‑led culture
• Excellent benefits, including a generous pension and car allowance
• Long‑term career prospects within a large, sophisticated organisation
• The chance to influence strategy.

If you’re a senior property lawyer looking for a role with breadth, influence and longevity, this is most definitely worth a confidential conversation.

This is a significant leadership role at a time of real change for the business – a period that makes this an especially exciting time to join. The organisation is evolving and the legal function sits at the heart of that journey. Culture, collaboration and long‑term thinking genuinely matter here.

Any PQE levels mentioned in our adverts are purely indicative and do not preclude candidates with more or less PQE from applying.