Real Estate Development Senior Associate

Leading South of England Firm | Property Development Senior Associate | 5+ Years PQE

Join a well-established, multi-disciplinary development and regeneration team in Southampton, advising landowners, developers, and public authorities on complex, high-value projects across residential, mixed-use, care, hotel, and waterside schemes.

The Firm
This is a long-established South of England law firm with a history stretching back over two centuries and multiple offices across the region. With nearly 400 staff, it is one of the largest firms in the region and has a reputation for delivering city-quality expertise at regional rates.

Culturally, the firm is pragmatic, commercially minded, and client-focused. It offers a supportive, down-to-earth environment where lawyers are given meaningful responsibility and encouraged to build long-term client relationships.

The Team
The Development and Regeneration team sits within the wider Real Estate practice and brings together planning, construction, environmental, and property lawyers to provide a full-service offering. The team acts for landowners, commercial developers, social housing providers, public authorities, and banks across a broad range of sectors.

The work spans the full development lifecycle, from site acquisition and assembly, planning strategy, promotion agreements, and infrastructure agreements, through to development agreements, pre-lets, agreements for lease, and building contracts. The team has particular expertise in waterside developments, mixed-use schemes, care and retirement living, hotel and leisure, and retail projects.

The Role
As a Senior Associate, you will take a lead role on substantial development transactions and regeneration projects. You will manage matters with autonomy, advise clients on structuring and delivering complex schemes, and work closely with partners on the most significant mandates. You will also supervise and mentor junior team members, contributing to their development and the continued growth of the practice.

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE in property development, commercial real estate, or planning, gained at a reputable firm

• Strong technical experience across the development lifecycle, including site acquisition, planning, and development agreements

• Commercially minded and client-focused, with excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills

• Confident managing complex transactions and multiple stakeholders independently

• A collaborative team player with experience mentoring junior lawyers or an appetite to do so

• Interest in waterside, mixed-use, care, hotel, or leisure sectors is advantageous

What's on Offer

• High-quality, varied development work across a broad range of asset classes and sectors

• A senior role with genuine responsibility, client contact, and autonomy

• Clear career progression within a growing, nationally recognised team

• A supportive, down-to-earth culture that values long-term relationships and work-life balance

• Competitive salary and benefits, with hybrid working and offices in a prime South Coast location

Apply now for immediate consideration.