Job Description
Job Description: In-House Solicitor – Major UK Housing Developer
Overview
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Solicitor to join our clients in-house Legal Team at one of the UK’s leading residential housing developers. This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of a fast-paced, growth-focused business, providing strategic legal support across land acquisition, development, construction, planning, and sales operations.
You will play a key role in enabling the business to deliver high-quality developments while managing legal risk and ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks.
Key Responsibilities:-
Land Acquisition & Development
* Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of land acquisition documents, including option agreements, conditional contracts, overage agreements, promotion agreements, and collaboration agreements.
* Support the Land and Planning teams through the full acquisition lifecycle, from initial appraisal to exchange and completion.
* Conduct and manage legal due diligence on prospective development sites, including title review, searches, and risk assessment.
* Advise on planning obligations, Section 106 agreements, CIL matters, and related development constraints.
Construction & Procurement
* Draft and negotiate construction contracts, professional appointments, warranties, and collateral agreements.
* Provide legal support on procurement strategy, tender processes, and contractor engagement.
* Advise on construction-related disputes, defects, and contract performance issues.
Sales & Customer Relations
* Support the Sales team with plot sales documentation, part-exchange arrangements, and shared ownership schemes.
* Advise on consumer protection, misrepresentation, and compliance with the New Homes Quality Code and other regulatory requirements.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
* Ensure compliance with relevant housing, planning, environmental, and health & safety legislation.
* Assist with corporate governance matters, including board papers, company secretarial tasks, and policy development.
* Identify legal risks and provide pragmatic, solutions-focused advice to senior stakeholders.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work closely with Land, Planning, Technical, Construction, Sales, Finance, and external consultants.
* Manage relationships with external law firms, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality service delivery.
* Provide training and guidance to internal teams on legal processes and best practice.
Skills & Experience
Essential
* Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales (typically 4+ PQE, though all levels considered).
* Strong experience in residential development, real estate, planning, or construction law.
* Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate legal issues into clear, practical advice.
* Commercial awareness and the confidence to influence decision-making at all levels.
Desirable
* Previous in-house experience within the property or construction sector.
* Knowledge of land promotion, joint ventures, and strategic land structures.
* Experience managing external legal advisers and budgets.
Personal Attributes
* Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.
* Strong relationship-builder with a collaborative mindset.
* Solutions-driven, pragmatic, and commercially astute.
* Able to balance legal risk with business objectives.
On Offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package including car allowance + competitive bonus scheme.
* Opportunity to work on high-profile, large-scale development projects.
* A supportive, forward-thinking environment with genuine career progression.
* Hybrid working options depending on business needs.