Senior Legal Counsel

Voyage Care Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A national care provider is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel in Leeds to manage property acquisition, development, and construction across their portfolio. You will provide legal guidance and support strategic growth within a hybrid work model. The ideal candidate should have 8+ years of experience in property law and strong negotiation skills. This role offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits, including training and flexible working conditions.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Comprehensive induction

25 days annual leave

Employee discount app

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ PQE (guideline) in property, development, and construction law.
• Experience in-house within a developer, care provider, or construction business.
• Strong technical knowledge of JCT / NEC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development transactions, conduct due diligence and negotiate agreements.
• Handle property acquisitions and disposals, including associated agreements.
• Draft and negotiate construction documentation.

Skills

Real estate law

Development law

Construction law

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Education

UK-qualified solicitor

Job description

Senior Legal Counsel – Property & Development

Hybrid / Remote role with occasional travel to Group Support, Lichfield

About the Role

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel with expertise in real estate, development, and construction law to join our in-house legal team. This high-impact role will support the Group’s strategic growth, ensuring our existing property portfolio is effectively managed and new developments are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and commercially.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will lead on all aspects of property acquisition, development, and construction across the Group’s portfolio—supporting projects from planning through to completion and operation.

In addition, you’ll deliver legal guidance across a broad range of legal areas affecting the Group, giving you exposure to varied work and the opportunity to advise on everything from routine queries to high-impact projects.

About Voyage Care

Voyage Care provides specialist support for people with learning disabilities, autism, brain and spinal injuries, and other complex conditions across the UK. With over 30 years’ experience, our passionate team of 11,000+ staff supports more than 3,500 individuals in residential, supported living, and outreach services.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of development transactions, from conducting due diligence to negotiating and finalising commercial agreements.
• Handle property acquisitions and disposals as well as associated agreements (leases, SLAs, management contracts).
• Draft, review, and negotiate construction documentation (JCT / NEC contracts, professional appointments, warranties, collateral agreements).
• Advise on planning, environmental, and regulatory matters affecting care sector developments.
• Manage relationships with external legal advisors and professional consultants.
• Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to non-lawyer stakeholders across the business.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of internal processes, precedent documents, and risk management frameworks.

What We’re Looking For

• UK-qualified solicitor with 8+ years’ PQE (guideline) in property, development, and construction law.
• Strong technical knowledge of real estate, development and construction law (including JCT / NEC contracts).
• Experience gained in-house within a developer, care provider, or construction business, or from a top-tier private practice real estate / construction team.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and provide commercial, solution-focused advice.
• Excellent communication, drafting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate autonomously in a fast-paced, values-driven organisation.

Benefits

• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Long service awards
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• 25 days annual leave plus birthday and bank holidays
• Employee discount app and funded Blue Light Card
• Enhanced family leave and wellbeing support
• Wagestream app for flexible pay access
• Refer-a-friend bonuses

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to help us deliver our growth agenda responsibly and sustainably, we’d love to hear from you.

All successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS (England) or PVG (Scotland) check, including the Barred Adult List.