Head of Plots

Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 50 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.

As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.

We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.

Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us.

Our multi-disciplinary Real Estate group is highly regarded by our clients and within the sector. It comprises not only lawyers but also town and country planners. We’ve brought experts into our services in planning, development, investment, landlord and tenant matters, social housing, construction and litigation with a particular emphasis on energy, housing, education, finance and investment funds.

Our plot sales team deals with the legal aspects of plot sales for our clients, including planning, development, investment, construction, litigation and dealing with both landlord and tenant matters. The team regularly acts on behalf of some of the UK’s biggest house builders.

The role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and driven individual to join our vibrant and expanding Plots Sales team as our Head of Plots. 

Based within our Birmingham office, we are offering a great working environment to manage a team of conveyancers, as well as providing good exposure to quality clients.  This role would suit someone who enjoys client contact and works well under pressure; you will have exposure to all operational matters from day one. 

You will work alongside acquisition lawyers, specialising in development.  The role is to manage a team of plot sales fee earners acting for a range of clients, including real estate developers, investors in property and retirement living specialists, with a focus on focussing on site set ups of large and small developments.

We will consider candidates looking for full time or part time hours (a minimum of 4 days per week if part time).

Your key duties will be:

• managing the team and building client relationships
• assisting with the training, developing and mentoring of junior members of the team
• enhancing client relationships through day to day activity
• coordinating bulk sales
• developing new business relationships and working closely with existing clients to drive growth
• developing and testing IT processes, implementing work flows for new clients and improving those of existing clients to improve profitability

Skills and experience you will have:

• a minimum of 3 years’ previous experience in a similar role, ideally from a professional services background
• solid residential conveyancing experience
• strong IT skills
• some previous experience in supervising junior fee earners is desirable although not essential
• a willingness and enthusiasm to get involved in business development activities, with ideally the ability to demonstrate a proven track record of success in this area

Key competencies you will need:

• the ability to work under pressure and provide a first class service to developer clients
• the ability to liaise with house builder clients at all levels
• the motivation to take up a challenge at an exciting time
• a desire to exceed client expectations
• a high degree of initiative and the ability to cope in a demanding environment
• excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• the ability to work in a busy team
• a desire to support the growth of the team
• excellent communication skills
• a personable approach combined with an ability to maintain outstanding client relationships

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.