Head of Real Estate

Partner – Real Estate (Head of Department) Manchester | Full-time, Permanent Lead.

This is your opportunity to take the reins of a growing Real Estate practice and play a defining role in shaping its future at Markel Law, an SRA‑regulated, people‑first legal business backed by the strength of the global Fortune 500 Markel Group. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic partner‑level lawyer based in Manchester to lead and grow our real estate practice. The team currently consists of 3 fee earners and has ambitious growth plans to more than double in size. The firm’s commercial services team is focused on the key legal areas businesses routinely navigate on a daily basis, including contracts, IP, data protection, corporate and property‑related matters.

The role will work with the Head of Commercial on the strategic development and growth of the real estate team, manage key client relationships and take overall responsibility for the supervision and development of all colleagues within the team. This role will involve overseeing transactions, ensuring the highest quality of documentation and advice, building and maintaining strategic client relationships, driving business development, and working closely with the Head of Commercial and senior leadership on the delivery of integrated property solutions across the firm.

Why Markel Law?

Markel Law is part of the wider Markel insurance business, known for innovation, integrity and putting people first. Our award‑winning legal services support over 200,000 advice‑line callers every year, with specialist teams across Real Estate, Commercial, Civil, Employment, Crime/Regulatory and more.

• Employs 60+ specialist solicitors across Manchester, Leeds, London & Croydon
• Works with an impressive client base including high‑net‑worth individuals, associations and commercial organisations
• Operates with the backing, stability and scale of Markel Group (NYSE: MKL)

This is a rare chance to grow our Real Estate practice with three experienced fee‑earners and ambitious plans to more than double in size.

The Opportunity

As Head of Real Estate, you’ll work closely with the Head of Commercial to:

• Lead and grow the practice
• Set the strategic direction for the Real Estate team
• Shape its growth, culture and long‑term success
• Supervise, mentor and develop fee‑earners and support staff
• Drive client relationships & business development
• Build and nurture strategic, high‑value client relationships
• Expand the team’s portfolio through targeted BD activity
• Represent Markel Law as a trusted adviser and senior leader
• Deliver technical excellence
• Oversee (and where appropriate handle) high‑value and complex real estate transactions—acquisitions, disposals, leases, development projects and more
• Ensure consistency, quality and excellence across all legal output
• Collaborate across the firm
• Work with the Head of Commercial and other senior partners to deliver integrated property and commercial solutions
• Contribute to automation, template development and process efficiencies
• Steer financial performance
• Manage budgets, resourcing and financial objectives to ensure profitable, sustainable growth

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a leader with:

• Extensive, senior‑level experience across the full spectrum of real estate work
• A track record of managing complex matters and handling significant transactions
• Strong commercial skills and proven success in client acquisition & business development
• Excellent people leadership—mentoring, coaching, developing high‑performing teams
• A collaborative approach and the ability to influence at all levels
• A reputation for technical excellence and exceptional client care (Highly desirable)
• Experience advising clients in the social care sector

What You’ll Enjoy

At Markel Law, we believe in doing the right thing and supporting one another. You’ll benefit from:

• Competitive salary, annual bonus & benefits package
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with options to buy/sell)
• Private medical, dental, life assurance, income protection & travel insurance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Flexible working options and genuine work–life balance
• A platform to shape and grow a nationally recognised Real Estate practice
• A supportive, collaborative culture where your ideas drive change
• Access to learning, development and leadership programmes

We’re a Disability Confident Committed employer, proud to support flexible working and committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful.

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