Key info
Job title
Legal Counsel – Real Estate Investment and Development (Fixed Term Contract)
Reports to
Senior Legal Counsel
Based at
14A Shouldham St, London W1H 5FJ
About Dominus
Dominus is a privately owned, trusted group of companies focused on the student, build to rent, hotel and commercial sectors in London and across the United Kingdom. Founded in 2011, we have grown into a market-leading real estate platform with assets under management of more than £2 billion. We are an end-to-end business, with capabilities spanning acquisition, design, planning, development, and asset management.
Our differentiation stems from our ability to approach each project individually and identify the optimal strategy to maximise value. We combine a highly knowledgeable team with trusted partnerships, and in doing so have built a reputation for quality throughout the industry.
Working Environment
We work on open plan trading floor style office with around fourty-five colleagues, which brings interaction and excitement. Our self-designed head office is on Shouldham Street in Marylebone, easy to reach and close to all the amenities.
Legal Team
The team currently consists of two Senior Legal Counsels (one who focuses on real estate and the other who focuses on investment and development) and a Junior Legal Counsel (who focuses on professional consultants and operations. This role is to provide maternity cover for one of the Senior Legal Counsel who is headed on maternity leave next year. The role will entail working with the existing Senior Legal Counsel (who focuses on real estate) and Junior Legal Counsel (who focuses on professional consultants and operations) and guided by the Executive Director (also a qualified solicitor), you will join a Legal Team that provides support and advice to the Group’s investment, development and operational activities in operational real estate.
The team works hand in hand with the group’s other functions, dealing with transactions, contracts, property, construction, litigation, insurance, and compliance.
The Position
Required:
1. Funding:
• Assist in structuring financing arrangements, including senior and mezzanine loans, joint venture transactions , and equity investments.
• Instruct external counsel to draft loan agreements, security documents, and investment agreements.
• Ensure compliance with financing covenants and requirements.
• Example Documentation: Loan Agreement, Equity Investment Agreement, Joint Venture Agreement, Security Agreement.
• Assist in procuring collateral warranties, reliance letters and other related transaction management.
2. Tax:
• Collaborate with external tax advisors to optimise our tax position and structure transactions to optimise tax outcomes on transactions, mergers, acquisitions, and other activities, while mitigating risks.
• Work closely with the Finance Team, to ensure a cohesive approach to tax matters.
3. Disposals:
• Manage legal aspects of property sales, including negotiation of and instructing external counsel to draft of sale agreements.
• Create data rooms and oversee the due diligence process for potential buyers.
• Ensure proper title transfer and resolution of any outstanding legal issues.
• Example Documentation: Sale Agreement, Due Diligence Checklist, Title Transfer Documents.
4. Development:
Knowledge in drafting and negotiating Consultant agreement, Build Contracts, Letter of Intent and Pre-construction Services Agreement will be helpful but is not a requirement for this role.
Optional:
2. Concept and Acquisition (Stage 1):
• Advising on legal implications of design concepts, regulations, and planning regulations.
• Reviewing and approving legal documentation related to site acquisition and title searches.
• Conduct due diligence on potential property acquisitions to assess legal risks and issues.
• Instruct external counsel to craft and negotiate purchase agreements, option agreements, and other relevant contracts.
• Example Documentation: Sale and Purchase Agreement, Report on Title, Due Diligence Checklist.
Experience and Skills
• At least five years commercial property experience.
• Works well to tight deadlines and managing own workload.
• Is confident, professional and shows excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Has a keen eye for detail.
• Strives for high standards in their work.
• Previous in-house experience and/or exposure to multiple real estate asset classes would be an advantage.
• The ability to work with initiative and prioritise with a self-starting mentality is vital as you will need to be able to work independently and manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Motivated to become a trusted adviser to the Group and its shareholders, being proactive in the provision of legal support whilst pursuing this.
• Skilled at turning complicated legal advice into information that is easy to digest across multiple team disciplines.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to manage upstream and downstream, and work discreetly when required to.
Example Projects
• 500 bed student in Bristol – planning
• 500 bed student in East London – planning
• 800 bed student in Central London – under construction
• 700 bed student in Central London – under construction
• 400 bed hotel and 700 bed student in West London – under construction
Benefits and Career Development
We are offering a competitive salary and a great benefits package which includes a performance bonus, pension, training allowance, and you will also benefit from fantastic hotel discounts worldwide. This role offers the ability to grow and develop over time – we have a strong culture of progression at Dominus.
Application Process
- Please send your CV and a covering note to Lee Saywack, Executive Director – lee.saywack@dominus.co.uk and Sahil Khagram, Investment Director – sahil.khagram@dominus.co.uk.
