Property Lawyer

The untypical Group is backed by Terra Firma who work closely with untypical’s legal team. This is an opportunity to make significant impact while developing wider responsibility outside Property transactions.

Bringing together two trusted housebuilding brands, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, untypical aims to make a positive difference to the UK housebuilding market and help to provide greater access to homes which are affordable for buyers.

Guided by an innovative approach and a commitment to excellence, untypical focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive communities, delivering homes across the UK that people want to live in and are good for the planet. 

Our benefits package includes:

• Bonus Scheme
• Car allowance
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Private medical
• 26 days holiday with additional bank holidays
• Holiday Buy Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

The Property Lawyer will be responsible for the delivery and execution of all key property transactions up to legal completion on time, and in line with the Group’s policies and business plan.

In respect of the Group’s two housebuilders, Tilia Homes and Hopkins Homes, these will broadly involve land acquisitions, funded by secured debt; and sales of bulk portfolios to institutional investors and housing associations.

While the post will initially be focused on Property transactions, it will evolve with our strategic intent. The untypical Group is backed by Terra Firma who are an extension of untypical’s legal team. This is an opportunity to make significant impact at untypical while also developing and gaining exposure to wider responsibility.

Terra Firma has a 30-year track record of investing in transformational private equity, operational real estate and infrastructure plus. Since 1994, Terra Firma has invested €18 billion in 40 businesses with an aggregate enterprise value of over €51 billion. Terra Firma manages and advises its own investment funds, and acts as a private equity advisor with institutional capabilities to a variety of other investment partners, including family offices and private individuals.

Duties will include:

• Managing external counsel for Tilia and Hopkins
• Analysing and reviewing heads of terms for both bulk sales and land purchase transactions
• Working closely with key stakeholders ranging from land teams, external counsel, lenders and their counsel, planning, construction and technical teams to negotiate and execute transactions
• Ensuring structuring, negotiation and drafting of key transaction documents are in line with Group policies and heads of terms, ranging from contracts, development agreements, transfers, options, certificates of title and security agreements
• Ensuring conditions of bank funding agreement are met, through close communication with internal teams, external counsel and lenders, in order to complete transactions
• Close reporting of deals to line manager and, where needed, shareholders

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• c.3-5 years PQE gained at a reputable firm in residential development, acting for housebuilders
• Previous in-house experience preferable but not essential
• Experience of development finance matters is strongly desirable
• Solid skills in drafting, negotiation, managing and structuring of land purchase transactions, to include conditional contracts, promotion, option and hybrid agreements, overage and ransom arrangements, development agreements, collaboration agreements, and serviced site transactions
• Strong people skills; able to communicate across key parts of the Group, its shareholder and transaction stakeholders