Head of Property Legal UK & Europe

Head of Property Legal UK & Europe – Job Description

Reporting to the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary and Director of Group Acquisitions, this position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the JD Group’s existing and future store network across the UK & Europe.

This is a UK transactional focused role with approximately 70% of time dedicated to UK leasehold acquisition and estate work and approximately 30% to European liaison and oversight.

Your main duties will include:

Europe

• High level oversight of JD Group’s European real estate lawyer network, both in-house legal teams and external panel firms
• Regular liaison with in-house lawyers within the JD Group across Europe to support with best practice and standardisation of approach
• Periodic travel to JD Group’s offices within Europe (Alicante, Paris and Krakow)

UK and Ireland

• Dealing in-house (England & Wales) with all aspects of store acquisitions, upsizes and relocations including reviewing initial heads of terms, conditional agreements for lease, leases, licences to alter, surrenders and general acquisition due diligence (including reviewing title, searches and planning)
• Dealing in-house (England & Wales) with all aspects of JD Group’s estate management including lease renewals, regears, refits and other ancillary estate management documents
• Advising JD Group’s subsidiaries on acquisitions and estate management including JD Gyms and Go Outdoors
• Providing support for any JD Group warehousing and head office estate management requirements 
• Instructing external panel solicitors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and maintaining cost controls
• Dealing with SDLT filings, conveyancing searches and land registrations
• Assisting with property related due diligence as part of corporate acquisitions, reviewing SPAs and disclosure letters and advising on risk mitigation including appropriate warranties and indemnities
• Liaising with internal stakeholders including acquisition managers, estate managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, designers, maintenance, site research, finance and tax
• Where appropriate, liaising with external contacts including letting agents, building surveyors, asset managers, landlords and planning consultants
• General ad hoc property advice including title reviews and disputes (with external support as appropriate)
• Direct line management of a supporting in-house UK real estate solicitor
• Supporting JD Central Legal with any property related issues (for instance commercial agreements with property involvement)
• Attending external CPD events and reporting back any relevant new developments to the Acquisitions and Estates teams

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Registered to practise in England & Wales with current Practising Certificate
• 5 years+ PQE
• Experience with portfolio management (whether on behalf of landlords or tenants)
• Sound knowledge of landlord & tenant law in England & Wales
• Some knowledge of landlord & tenant law in Scotland / Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland preferable but not essential
• Experience of working in a fast-paced team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with various internal teams
• Ability to offer both legal and commercial opinions on issues arising

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