Full job description About us
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.
The team you will join
The Residential Development Team sits within Birketts’ highly regarded and one of the UK’s largest dedicated Real Estate practice groups, comprising specialists in development, investment, finance, and landlord and tenant matters.
The Residential Development Team includes 5 specialist development partners and 40 other fee earners at all levels working collaboratively together across six of Birketts’ seven offices. The Partners oversee all aspects of development work from land promotion, acquisition, estate and infrastructure projects and plot sales (open market and social housing disposals). The team also works closely with other Birketts’ Residential Development Sector experts includingtax, planning, environmental, construction and Real Estate litigation teams.
This role will have a particular focus on the Social Housing sector and will include close liaison with our specialist contentious Social Housing management team .Working with that team enables great access to a significant number of Registered Providers for whom the firm acts.
The work you will be doing
You will be responsible for:
* Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the team and firm.

* Developing, leading and mentoring a team of junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

* Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services.

* Working for Registered Providers on joint venture and partnership agreements both at framework level and on a site by site basis

* Acquisitions of housing development sites through a variety of contract structures for RPs, including land led and strategic land schemes.

* Advising on housing regeneration schemes, joint ventures, partnerships and collaborations

* Acquisitions of "s.106 sites" for RPs from private housebuilders, including drafting and negotiation of development agreements (turnkey and golden brick)

* Experienced in checking s106 affordable housing provisions to ensure compliance with grant funding requirements

* Experienced in advising on grant and funding agreements

* Overseeing golden brick completions and handover arrangements

* Dealing with estate site set up and drafting intra-group transfers and shared ownership leases in readiness for plot sales

* Negotiating Nomination Agreements on behalf of Registered Providers

* You will be familiar with all aspects of Infrastructure Agreements and estate infrastructure transfers and easementsfor Registered Providers and will oversee a team of junior lawyers dealing with the day to day running of those transactions

* Drafting and negotiating Management Agreements and Service Level Agreements on behalf on Registered Providers

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
What we are looking for
* Recognised technical expert who provides clear, tailored advice on complex legal and commercial issues.

* Drives efficient time recording, profitable pricing, strong cash flow, and team gross profit delivery.

* Leads business development and high-profile pitches, builds a strong market presence, wins new clients, and drives cross-selling opportunities.

* Delivers exceptional project and client management, consistently meeting expectations through strong communication and deep client understanding.

* Builds trust through strong relationships, continual professional development, clear communication of vision, and championing positive change.

* Demonstrates strong risk management, supports junior staff, upholds Lexcel standards, and maintains high compliance and file review performance.

* Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard

* Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service

* To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation

Hybrid Working
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working.
We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Benefits
As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:
*30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays Long Service holiday award –