Legal Counsel - Real Estate

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel - Real Estate to join our Legal Department. This role sits at the core of a fast‑paced, international retail business and will be primarily focused on real estate legal matters, supporting the company's real estate strategy, expansion, and ongoing operations.

The role is well suited to a mid‑level legal professional. The successful candidate will bring solid expertise in drafting commercial agreements with a focus on negotiating real estate agreements and in managing real estate transactions, including asset purchases and going‑concern acquisitions, as well as day‑to‑day real estate operations across the retail network.

You will act as a trusted legal advisor and business partner, working closely with Real Estate, Finance and Operations teams to deliver practical, timely, and commercially sound legal solutions, while effectively managing legal risk in complex and high‑value transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Real Estate & Transactional Legal Support
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of real estate agreements, including lease agreements (commercial, retail, logistics, and office), subleases, amendments, renewals, and terminations, sale & purchase agreements for real estate assets, asset purchase agreements and going‑concern transactions, letters of intent, memoranda of understanding, and term sheets, easements, rights of way, and other property‑related arrangements
  • Support real estate acquisitions, disposals, and restructurings, coordinating legal aspects from due diligence through signing and closing.
  • Conduct and manage legal due diligence on real estate portfolios and assets, identifying risks and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Legal Advisory & Risk Management
  • Provide clear, pragmatic, and business‑oriented legal advice to internal stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, internal policies, and governance standards.
  • Advise management on legal risks associated with real estate investments, leases, and transactions.
  • Support dispute prevention and manage real estate‑related claims or litigation in coordination with external counsel.
• Cross‑Functional & Strategic Support
  • Partner closely with Real Estate, Finance and Operations teams.
  • Contribute to strategic discussions on store openings, closures, relocations, and portfolio optimisation.
  • Act as a proactive legal partner, understanding commercial drivers and aligning legal advice accordingly.

Qualifications & Experience

• Law degree with excellent academic credentials and bar qualification required.
• Between 8 and 12 years of post‑qualification experience – with at least 4 years at a top‑tier law firm – is a must.
• Specialisation in real estate law, including leasing and real estate transactions (asset deals and going concerns) required.
• Experience supporting retail, consumer goods, logistics, or asset‑intensive businesses is highly desirable.
• Sound knowledge of company law and extraordinary corporate transactions is a strong plus.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex real estate agreements independently.
• Solid understanding of real‑estate transactional processes, including due diligence, risk allocation, and closing mechanics.
• Strong commercial mindset, with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives pragmatically.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management skills, with the confidence to interact with senior management and business teams.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and influencing capabilities.
• High level of integrity and sound professional judgment.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented approach with a strong sense of ownership.

Benefits

• Wellbeing & parenting programmes dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing and parenting support.
• Wellness area with free courses such as yoga, pilates, and functional training.
• Learning & development: technical‑specialist and managerial training programmes and opportunities for continuous skill development.
• Company cafeteria.
• 20 % discount on all our brands.
• Access to exclusive employee perks across the group (travel, electronics, and more).
• Flexible start times and smart working options.
• Medical consultation and 8 additional hours of paid leave annually for medical appointments.
• Health insurance included once a permanent contract is secured.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer. All applications will be considered regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.