In House Lawyer - Real Estate Finance

Senior Legal Counsel – Real Estate Finance/Investment and Development 

Reports to

Executive Director

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 are a highly knowledgeable team with trusted partnerships, and in doing so have built a reputation for quality throughout the industry.

Our 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

Working Environment

We work in an 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.

The legal team currently consists of two Senior Legal Counsels (focusing on Real Estate and Investment and Development) and a Junior Legal Counsel (focusing on Professional consultants and Operation). 

The legal team 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 Responsibilities

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:

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.

Your Experience and Skills

• At least five years' (no upper limit) Real Estate Finance/Investment/Development experience working on deal sizes in excess of £80-£100million+

• Previous in-house experience and/or exposure to multiple real estate asset classes would be an advantage.

• Will be ambitious and looking to grow and develop alongside a well-regarded Real Estate Group.

• Ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects, to manage priorities effectively and to work under the pressure of deadlines by managing their own workload.

• Has a keen eye for detail and strives for high standards of their work.

• 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, its shareholders and being proactive in the provision of legal support.

• 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.

Benefits and Career Development

We are offering a competitive salary and a great benefits package which includes a performance bonus, pension and training allowance. 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 apply by clicking on the 'Apply' button below.