Commercial Property Senior Associate Solicitor – Manchester
5+ PQE | £80,000–£90,000 DOE | Hybrid working
You may already be the lawyer partners rely on when a transaction becomes complicatedthe person trusted to lead matters, manage important client relationships and support the junior team.
But if your title has not caught up with that responsibility, or the route to progression still feels unclear, this is an opportunity to gain the recognition, influence and visibility to match the level at which you are already operating.
A leading commercial practice is looking for a Real Estate Managing Associate to join its established Manchester team. You’ll work on complex, nationally significant matters while gaining greater ownership of transactions, closer exposure to major clients and the support to build a recognised specialism of your own.
Why consider this opportunity?
Recognition at the right level
Leadership, sound judgement and client ownership are part of the role—not additional responsibilities absorbed without recognition.
A clearer career story
You’ll be supported to deepen an existing specialism or develop one around the clients and work that genuinely interest you.
Greater client visibility
Work directly with senior lawyers and major clients, with the opportunity to become known for your own contribution rather than remaining several layers removed from the relationship.
High-quality work in Manchester
Handle sophisticated national transactions, major development projects and complex portfolio matters without relocating to London.
Influence beyond your caseload
You’ll help develop junior lawyers, improve how matters are delivered and contribute to the continued growth of the team.
The work
The team advises major investors, developers, funders and occupiers on complex commercial real estate matters.
Your role will include:
- Managing acquisitions, disposals, landlord and tenant matters and property management work.
- Leading complex, high-value transactions alongside partners and senior colleagues.
- Coordinating large-scale lease or easement projects across paralegals and junior lawyers.
- Building trusted relationships with major clients and providing practical, commercially focused advice.
- Supervising and mentoring junior members of the team.
- Supporting business development and helping grow existing and prospective client relationships.
- Contributing ideas that improve efficiency, client service and the way matters are delivered.
What’s in it for you?
- £80,000–£90,000 salary, depending on experience.
- Hybrid working, typically with two to three days each week in the Manchester office.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
- 5% employer pension contribution when matched by you.
- Discretionary performance-related bonus.
- Life assurance worth four times your salary.
- Income protection paying 75% of salary after 26 weeks.
- Enhanced maternity support.
- Employee Assistance Programme and mental-health resources.
- Optional critical illness cover.
- Access to private medical insurance and additional wellbeing benefits where applicable.
About you
You’ll be a UK-qualified lawyer with substantial commercial real estate experience, likely gained at around five years’ PQE or above.
You should be comfortable:
- Managing complex matters with appropriate autonomy.
- Leading transactions and coordinating junior colleagues.
- Advising and building relationships with senior client stakeholders.
- Balancing competing priorities without compromising client service.
- Taking a practical and commercially minded approach to legal challenges.
- Contributing to business development and the wider growth of a team.
You do not need to arrive with a fully established specialism or personal client following. What matters is that you are ready to take greater ownership of your work, relationships and long-term career direction.
The culture
The culture is ambitious but collaborative. Strong performance matters, but so do sound judgement, commercial curiosity and helping the people around you improve.
The Manchester team is established and continuing to invest in senior talent. You’ll have the resources and client base of a major commercial practice, while retaining the opportunity for your individual contribution to be visible.
If you are already operating close to Managing Associate level, this is a chance to convert the responsibility you carry into greater authority, clearer progression and stronger visibility in the market.
Interested?
Apply for a confidential discussion or contact James at Wilson Mannion Recruitment for further information.
All conversations will be treated in complete confidence.
Also searched as: Commercial Property Managing Associate, Senior Real Estate Lawyer, Commercial Property Solicitor, Real Estate Solicitor, Senior Commercial Property Lawyer.
Work location: Hybrid working in Manchester.
Pay: £80,000.00-£90,000.00 per year
Experience:
- PQE in Real Estate: 5 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Practising Certificate (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Manchester (Greater Manchester)
