Legal Counsel – Banking (Real Estate Finance Transactions)

About the role

We are seeking a Legal Counsel specialising in banking to join our Manchester team. The role focuses on lending and bridge real‑estate finance transactions, providing legal oversight from deal structuring through to funding. While the position is permanent, it offers a flexible hybrid working model.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate facility agreements, security documents, guarantees and inter‑creditor arrangements.
• Advise on transaction structuring, legal risk allocation and regulatory compliance.
• Support the full execution cycle, including instruction, completion, funding and drawdown.
• Develop and maintain lending documentation templates and legal precedents.
• Collaborate with Investment, Underwriting, Credit and Operations teams to ensure smooth delivery.
• Identify and manage legal and regulatory risks associated with short‑term lending products.
• Contribute to the improvement of legal processes, governance and best practice across the organisation.

Required profile

• Minimum of 5 years post‑qualification experience in banking or real‑estate finance law.
• Proven ability to handle multiple matters simultaneously while maintaining high accuracy.
• Strong commercial mindset with the capacity to provide practical advice to business stakeholders.
• Excellent relationship‑building skills with internal and external parties.

Required skills

• Expertise in drafting and negotiating finance documentation.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK banking regulations and real‑estate finance structures.
• Ability to assess and mitigate legal risk in lending transactions.

What we offer

• Competitive salary ranging from £76,500 to £85,000 per year.
• Hybrid working arrangement for flexibility.
• Performance‑linked bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to work within a leading professional services firm.