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Head of Legal Property

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Whitbread

Sep 10

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior & Expert Level
  • Legal
  • London

AI generated summary

  • You must hold a practicing certificate, have 5+ years in property law, strong communication skills, stakeholder engagement experience, and a solutions-focused, commercial mindset.
  • You will provide legal advice on real estate matters, oversee transaction documentation, manage external counsel, attend meetings for support, and minimize business risks while achieving commercial goals.

Requirements

  • - Hold a practising certificate from the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority
  • - At least 5 Years post-qualification experience specialising in property law (transactional) within England and Wales gained as a director or Senior Associate in a law firm or holding a current Head of Legal, Senior Legal Counsel roles within a similar property base
  • - Previous property experience in sale and leasebacks would be beneficial along with exposure to International Property
  • - Excellent verbal and written communication skill, with the ability to present complex legal information clearly in a manner that is understandable by a wide range of stakeholders
  • - Excellent transaction governance and drafting skills
  • - Extensive stakeholder management and engagement capability across all levels of the business up to Executive/ Board level and external legal advisors with the ability to build strong and sustained relationships to achieve better results
  • - Solutions focused, pragmatic and commercial with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and to facilitate the implementation of creative solutions, including to streamline processes and remove cost, whilst enhancing service provision

Responsibilities

  • Provide legal advice for all real estate/ property issues, transactions and disputes to the Property function and wider business.
  • Oversee all legal work on real estate transactions including developing form documentation, evolving process of engaging external lawyers on transactions and managing pre-signing reporting to ensure the business is clear on any risks and changes.
  • Attend Property Executive and Property team meetings to provide advice and support on live discussions and decisions.
  • Manage the procurement of external legal advice on real estate matters as the link between Whitbread and external counsel as required ensuring the business operates within agreed authority limits.
  • Working on property deals to ensure risk to the business is minimised whilst delivering commercial objectives.

FAQs

What is the salary range for the Head of Legal Property position?

The salary range for the Head of Legal Property position is £120,000 - £130,000 plus a £7,000 car allowance and a bonus of up to 40%.

Where is the Head of Legal Property position located?

The position is based in a hybrid format, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the office at Whitbread Court, Dunstable, and London Holborn.

What are the main responsibilities of the Head of Legal Property?

The main responsibilities include providing legal advice on real estate issues, overseeing legal work on transactions, managing external legal counsel, and supporting the Property function and wider business with property strategy.

What qualifications are required for this role?

Candidates must hold a practicing certificate from the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority and have at least 5 years post-qualification experience specializing in property law within England and Wales.

Is previous experience in sale and leasebacks necessary?

Previous property experience in sale and leasebacks is beneficial but not mandatory for the role.

What kind of benefits does Whitbread offer for this position?

Benefits include a performance bonus worth up to 40% of base salary, private healthcare for you and your family, a £7,420 car allowance, and discounts of up to 60% on Premier Inn stays and 25% in Whitbread Restaurants.

Will the role involve international property considerations?

Yes, the role will involve working on property strategies with the international team in Germany, in addition to focusing primarily on the UK and Ireland sites.

What skills are essential for success in this role?

Essential skills include excellent verbal and written communication, strong transaction governance and drafting skills, stakeholder management capabilities, and a solutions-focused, pragmatic approach.

Can I apply if I have experience only in a law firm?

Yes, candidates with experience as a director or Senior Associate in a law firm are eligible to apply, provided they meet the other qualification requirements.

Is this a senior-level position?

Yes, this is a senior-level position within a FTSE 100 company, specifically for the Head of Legal Property role.

We're the UK’s largest operator of hotels and restaurants with some of the country’s most successful hospitality brands.

Travel & Leisure
Industry
10,001+
Employees
1742
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Whitbread PLC is a multinational hospitality company headquartered in England. Whitbread's restaurant brands provide a range of dining options, from traditional pub fare to casual dining experiences, serving a wide variety of cuisines to suit different tastes and preferences. Committed to sustainability and responsible business practices, it aims to minimise its environmental impact and promote social responsibility. Through its dedication to delivering exceptional experiences and its focus on sustainability, Whitbread continues to be a trusted name in the UK hospitality industry.

Culture & Values

  • Genuine

    Really caring about our customers

  • Confident

    Striving to be the best at what we do

  • Committed

    Working hard for each other