Solicitor, Legal Counsel

About the Role

Gladman is a well‑respected and established strategic land promoter based in Congleton, Cheshire.

To provide a professional legal service to Gladman Developments, where the role will involve being the legal lead on land and property matters including conveyancing, transactions, advising on complex title to land, disposals and acquisitions of land, negotiation of complex promotion agreements and options. The role will also involve advising the Company on strategic development projects and transactions with a requirement to work collaboratively but with minimum supervision.

Reporting to: Head of Legal

You will be expected to:

• Drafting and negotiation of complex Promotion Agreements and Option Agreements and carrying out detailed due diligence on potential sites.
• Work independently with minimum supervision within a collaborative environment both within the Legal Department and cross‑departmentally.
• Provide timely reports on proposed transactions based on due diligence in a user‑friendly form for cross‑departmental use.
• Undertake the sale and purchase of land and property.
• Draft, negotiate, approve and report on all conveyancing related documentation including transfers, leases, licences and easements.
• Keep updated on all relevant current legislation and comply with the continuous professional development requirements of your professional body.
• Liaise with landowner solicitors on the disposal of sites with planning permission to assist transaction progress and protect the Company’s interests.
• Provide high‑quality, efficient, customer‑oriented legal service to the Company departments as required.
• Advise other departments on Property and Planning related matters.
• Ensure that the provision of legal services meets the Company expectations and agreed targets and deadlines.
• Assist with any legal matters required, including drafting and negotiation and completion of legal documents such as letters of reliance, terms for the appointment of external consultants and protection of the Company’s interests on any disposal.
• Deal with both internal and external stakeholders as directed by the Head of Legal.

This list of duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the postholder may be requested to perform other duties commensurate with their grade and capabilities. You will be expected to work such hours as are necessary to fulfil your duties.

• Qualified Solicitor of at least 7 years PQE.
• Substantial experience of residential and commercial conveyancing transactions and residential development.
• Provides accurate advice in a timely manner.
• Able to communicate effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Uses evidence and best practice to achieve results.
• Takes ownership of problems, identifying potential problems, finding solutions and escalating appropriately.
• Demonstrates accuracy and a systematic and thorough approach to record keeping, document control and file management.
• Ability to work accurately and rapidly and on occasion under pressure to tight timescales.
• Ability to be flexible and adjust priorities to meet the wider needs of the business and to accurately assess and evaluate priorities on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to work unsupervised and under pressure.
• Experience of Big Hand.
• Ability to analyse information, including complex policy documents, summarise information accurately in clear concise user‑friendly reports.
• Ability to conduct legal research and prepare reports and advice notes on findings.

• Competitive Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover – Single Cover
• Annual Medical Health Assessment
• 26 days’ holiday (increase by 1 day for every 3 years’ continuous service up to 29 days)

Additional benefits include employee loans and savings accounts, house purchase discounts, Cycle to Work scheme, reduced hotel rates and major retailer discounts.

Private healthcare support is available for timely access to a virtual GP, for diagnosis, treatment and more — including physio and talking therapies. You can even add family members.

First‑class pension schemes with the option of up to 10% employer contributions.

All colleagues are able to access a fully…