Real Estate Senior Associate

Gateley Plc; Leeds; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal and professional services group is seeking a Real Estate Senior Associate to play a key role in investment and development projects across England and Wales. The position involves a wide array of responsibilities, including acquisition, asset management, and corporate support. This role seeks an individual with a strong foundation in commercial real estate law, exceptional communication skills, and a proactive business development mindset. The firm offers a competitive salary package and numerous professional growth opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Annual bonus opportunities

Flexible working patterns

Personal and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in commercial Real Estate law with at least five years’ PQE.
• Able to translate technical detail into clear advice for clients.
• Ambitious with a proactive mindset for spotting opportunities.
• Team-oriented with a focus on collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the acquisition and disposal of investment properties.
• Provide support in acquisitions, site assembly, and option agreements.
• Manage general commercial real estate work.
• Support corporate transactions and compliance.
• Supervise telecom and infrastructure-related work.

Skills

Commercial Real Estate Law

Outstanding Communication

Business Development

Collaboration

Education

5+ years PQE in Real Estate

Job description

As a Real Estate Senior Associate, you’ll play a pivotal role in our dynamic team. Your responsibilities will span a wide spectrum, including:

• Investment work: You’ll assist in the acquisition and disposal of investment properties across England and Wales spanning various sectors including industrial and retail, and then be involved with asset management work.
• Development work: Providing support in acquisitions, site assembly, dealing with option agreements and easements, whether on behalf of developer or owner/occupier clients. Liaising with our planning and construction teams.
• General commercial real estate work: Dealing with a wide caseload and supporting our wider real estate unit, whether acting on behalf of retail clients, owners or commercial occupiers.
• Corporate Support: Your expertise will extend to providing essential corporate support. Whether it’s navigating complex transactions or ensuring compliance, your insights will be invaluable.
• Telecoms: You’ll help supervise our team dealing with the intricate world of telecoms. Understanding the legal nuances related to telecommunications infrastructure.
• New Business Development: As a forward‑thinking Solicitor, you’ll actively contribute to developing new business opportunities. Your strategic insights will shape our growth trajectory.

The team

You will be joining a Leeds Real Estate team led by two hands‑on partners who set the pace and back your growth.

James Sargent advises on the full spread of non‑contentious commercial real estate, from conditional contracts, option agreements and complex leases through to development and investment transactions across industrial, logistics and retail assets. His track record includes large logistic hubs, multi‑let industrial estates and portfolio acquisitions and disposals, so you learn how big‑ticket deals are structured and delivered with clarity.

Miranda Stirling, also a Partner in Real Estate, works closely with clients on strategic property solutions and is recognised for her straight‑talking style and commitment to delivering results that make a tangible difference.

Together, James and Miranda lead a team that thrives on collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing. They are supported by talented Associates, Solicitors and Paralegals who handle a wide range of estate management, acquisitions and disposals, as well as infrastructure‑led projects in telecoms and EV charging. This is a team that values clear communication and practical solutions, ensuring clients receive advice that is both insightful and actionable.

The person

To excel in this role, you will bring:

• Technical Expertise: A strong foundation in commercial Real Estate law, with at least five years’ PQE. You will demonstrate precision, sound judgement and the ability to handle complex matters confidently.
• Outstanding Communication: You can translate technical detail into clear, practical advice for clients and colleagues. Your style is professional yet approachable, and you build trust through clarity and responsiveness.
• Ambition for Growth: You see this as a career move, not just a job. You aspire to progress to Partner and understand that means winning new work, strengthening client relationships and raising our profile locally and nationally.
• Commercial Mindset: You are proactive in spotting opportunities, promoting the team and contributing to business development initiatives that make a measurable impact.
• Collaborative Spirit: Success here is built on teamwork. You will work seamlessly with colleagues and clients, sharing knowledge and supporting others while driving your own development.

This is your chance to join a forward‑thinking team where ambition is rewarded, ideas are valued and your career can truly take off.

About You

About Us

The benefits

With support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around our great development and progression opportunities will reward your commitment and loyalty. We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual performance with an opportunity to receive an annual bonus.

In addition, we have a wide range of learning and development opportunities via our Learn platform to develop new skills and progress your career. Our My Flex comprehensive rewards package includes options covering annual leave (and the benefit of purchasing extra days), cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group personal pension, health care, season ticket loan and many more benefits (grade dependent). Finally, with Perks At Work/Home you can select a host of retail benefits that suit your needs alongside a Community Online Academy, free courses for all from fitness to coding to languages to hip hop dance.

We are Gateley

We are forward thinking and straight talking, our approach is to find solutions to the problems that our clients face. Gateley is a legal and professional services group, we are a group of formidable experts in all areas of law and business. Passionate problem solvers, we get our kicks from finding the right answers and getting our legal and business clients where they need to be. We support more than 5,700 active clients, ranging from FTSE 100 companies to private individuals, in the UK and beyond. Being part of Gateley is not just about the expertise that you bring; it's about attitude too.

The 'Gateley Story' is the story of our people and our culture. It is what has got us to where we are today as a successful business and it's the driving force behind the Gateley Team Spirit and the values that have shaped it. We have a set of shared internal values that capture what the Gateley Team Spirit is and this includes five elements that bind us all together as one Gateley: Ambitious for Success, Forward Thinking, Room to Breathe, Trusted to Do and Working Together. Every year across the group, we recognise members of our team that have gone and above and beyond and have lived these shared values. They are recognised at our annual Gateley Team Spirit awards.

Diversity, inclusion and well being

Diversity, inclusion and well being is an important part of Gateley's culture and values. We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, or culture.

We create an exciting and rewarding place to work that aims to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals. We offer flexible working patterns to help our staff achieve a good work/life balance and we encourage candidates seeking flexibility in their next role to apply for any of our vacancies.

We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to be Stonewall Diversity Champions.

Additional Information

If you are successful in receiving an offer of a role with our company a variety of pre‑employment screening checks will be completed. Our screening checks can include but are not limited to your eligibility to work, professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers. The screening that takes place will be relevant to your role and will vary from role to role.