Head of Property - #2149974

Head of Property – Manchester

Amazing opportunity to join a quasi-in-house/ Independent law firm set up which is attached to a major US insurer.

About the company

The company is an independent law firm operating within a wider insurance group. It has a strong focus on litigation, with the majority of its work coming from claims teams and servicing insured businesses. The firm distinguishes itself from traditional law firms by prioritizing workplace culture, clear career development and minimizing internal politics. It primarily serves specialist sectors such as care homes (adult and children), cyber tech, life sciences and other niche industries. The organization emphasizes delivering holistic legal services to its insured clients and values a collaborative environment.

About the role

This role is for a Commercial Property Partner or Head of Commercial Property who will lead the development of the firm's commercial property offering. The position involves building out a new team to service existing insured clients—primarily small businesses in specialist sectors—with commercial property legal needs such as lease renewals and agreements. The role is based in Manchester and presents an opportunity to shape the department from the ground up, leveraging an established client base while expanding services into new areas. The successful candidate will be expected to recruit additional team members or bring colleagues with them, work closely with other departments (such as commercial contracts and employment) and help put together business cases for further growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the commercial property department
• Service existing insured business clients with their commercial property legal needs
• Handle matters such as lease renewals, lease agreements and related advisory work for small businesses
• Recruit additional team members or bring colleagues to build out the team
• Collaborate with other departments (eg, employment, IP, corporate) to deliver holistic legal services
• Assist in preparing business cases for board approval regarding departmental expansion
• Attend office regularly (three to four days per week)

Salary and benefits

• Competitive salary depending on experience and following (up to approximately £120k at partner level)
• 20–25% bonus at head of department level
• 13% pension contribution
• Clear career development opportunities
• Supportive workplace culture focused on collaboration rather than hierarchy or internal politics

About You

• Experience in commercial property law, ideally with exposure to care home or specialist insurance sectors
• Experience within Social Care
• Ability to build and lead a new team; leadership experience preferred
• Existing client following within relevant core sectors is highly desirable but not essential
• Strong cultural fit—collegial, collaborative approach rather than aggressive or overly competitive demeanour
• Interest in developing others and fostering a positive team environment
• Desire for long-term growth within an alternative model to traditional private practice

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