Senior Legal Counsel

Voyage Care Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join their team. The candidate will oversee development transactions, handle property acquisitions, and provide legal advice across various projects. With 8+ years' experience in property, development, and construction law, the ideal candidate will have strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to manage complex projects. This hybrid role offers a competitive benefits package including a pension scheme and 25 days of annual leave.

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

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ PQE in property, development, and construction law.
• Strong technical knowledge of JCT/NEC contracts.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and provide commercial advice.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development transactions from due diligence to agreements.
• Handle property acquisitions and disposals.
• Draft and negotiate construction documentation.
• Advise on planning and regulatory matters.

Skills

Property law

Development law

Construction law

Project management

Stakeholder management

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.