Property Solicitor

Established in 1981 with a single store in the Northwest of England, the JD Group is a leading omni-channel retailer of Sports Fashion, Outdoors and Gyms with over 60,000 colleagues and over 3,400 stores across several retail fascias in over 30 markets around the world.

JD Sports Fashion Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996 and has been a FTSE100 publicly quoted company since 2019 and continues to grow in the UK and internationally.

We want to be the leading global omnichannel retailer in the sports and outdoor industry. To be a part of this successful company and help us to achieve this you will have the desire to ingrain our strategic goals of being a people-led, innovative and customer-focused organisation which provides operational excellence whilst identifying new areas of growth as part of our day to day objectives.

Property Solicitor

Responsible to: Head of Group Acquisitions

Department: Legal

Location: JD Sports Fashion PLC, Edinburgh House, Hollinsbrook Way, Pilsworth, Bury, BL9 8RR

Role Overview:

Reporting to the Head of Group Acquisitions with day-to-day oversight by the Property Legal Manager, this position offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the JD Group's existing and future store network across the UK.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Dealing in house with all aspects of store acquisitions, upsizes and relocationsincluding reviewing initial heads of terms, conditional agreements for lease, leases, licences to alter, surrenders and general acquisition due diligence (including reviewing title, searches and planning)
• Dealing in house with all aspects of JD group estate management including lease renewals, regears, refits and other ancillary estate management documents
• Advising JD group subsidiaries on acquisitions and estate management including JD Gyms, Swim!, Go Outdoors and other semi-autonomous group companies
• Providing support for any JD Group warehousing and head office estate management requirements
• Liaising with external panel solicitors to instruct and coordinate the service of break notices, 1954 Act notices and overseeing lease renewal Court proceedings
• Instructing external panel solicitors in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and maintaining cost controls
• Dealing with SDLT filings, conveyancing searches and land registrations
• Assisting with property related due diligence as part of corporate acquisitions, reviewing SPAs and disclosure letters and advising on risk mitigation including appropriate warranties and indemnities
• Liaising with internal stakeholders associated store delivery including acquisition managers, estate managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, designers, maintenance, site research and finance
• Where appropriate, liaising with external contacts including letting agents, building surveyors, asset managers, landlords and planning consultants
• General ad hoc property advice including title reviews and disputes (with external support as appropriate)
• Supporting JD Central Legal with any property related issues (for instance commercial agreements with property involvement)
• Attending external CPD events and reporting back any relevant new developments to the Acquisitions and Estates teams

Skills/Experience/Knowledge needed:

• Registered to practise in England & Wales with current Practising Certificate
• 5 years + PQE
• Experience detailing with portfolio management (whether on behalf of landlords or tenants)
• Sound knowledge of landlord & tenant law in England & Wales
• Experience of working in a fast-paced team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with various internal teams
• Ability to offer both legal and commercial opinions on issues arising

We know our employees work tirelessly to make JD Sports the success it is today and in turn, we offer them some amazing benefits:

• Free parking
• Holiday Allowance
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• up to 50% Staff Discount On JD Group and other brands within the organisation, depending on level of role
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours
• Health plans – Depending on level of role
• Personal development opportunities to learn and develop at work.

Due to the high volumes of applications our opportunities attract, it takes time to review them all. If you don't hear back within two weeks of you applying, please consider your application to have been unsuccessful on this occasion

Applications that meet the skills criteria will be contacted for a 1st stage meeting with the talent team. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to interview with the hiring manager.

Thank you again for your time.