Real Estate Legal Counsel (Finance and Banking)

The Opportunity

Shawbrook provides finance to a wide range of customer segments that value the premium experience, flexibility and certainly we deliver. We are a purpose-led organisation, with a focus on delivering long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.

We have a diversified offering, with our innovative lending propositions tailored to meet specific customer needs in carefully selected markets across SME, Real Estate and Personal. Our products range from complex structured credit facilities for growth-focused businesses to mortgages for professional landlords and property investors, as well as simple loans for consumers delivered digitally. We fuel our lending through customer deposits, which we attract by delivering a premium experience, choice and consistently great value to smart savers.

The business model we have created is unique and difficult to replicate, with our ‘best of both’ approach combining deep human expertise with advanced digital, tech and data capabilities. This combination not only allows us to deliver excellent customer experiences, but to do so efficiently and at scale. We are proud of our innovative and agile culture, which drives consistently high employee engagement scores and makes Shawbrook an attractive destination for the best talent.If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, contribute new ideas and believe anything is possible, you’re our kind of person

Work with us because you:

• Want to be part of a bank built for the dynamics of the modern world

• Relish a challenge and enjoy a fast-paced, innovative and hardworking culture

• Enjoy finding new and better ways to solve complexity and make things happen

• Want to belong to a diverse culture that stands shoulder to shoulder with minority and underrepresented groups

• Care about society and the environment and want to be part of a business that cares too

• Want to continue to grow professionally and be the best version of yourself

• Want to continue to grow professionally and be the best version of yourself

The Role & Responsibilities

This role offers exposure to complex transactions and the chance to shape the Legal function’s digital evolution. It combines front-line real estate finance work with the opportunity to drive smarter, tech-enabled ways of working that support the Bank’s long-term growth strategy.

To provide timely, commercially focused legal advice on real estate finance transactions, ensuring the Bank’s objectives are delivered within its risk appetite. While primarily a legal position, the role carries a mandate to work with business and technology stakeholders to embed AI, self-help frameworks and digital tools, making legal support more efficient, scalable and sustainable as the Bank grows.

Key Responsibilities

Transactional Support

• Advise on a wide range of real estate finance and development finance matters.

• Together with external counsel, supporting the business with the review and negotiation of facility agreements, security documentation and ancillary contracts.

• Deliver clear, pragmatic advice that balances legal risk with commercial priorities.

• Support ad hoc lending matters across the wider portfolio requiring specialist legal input.

Operational Efficiency and Change

• Partner with business and tech stakeholders to digitise legal workflows and automate standard documentation.

• Develop and implement self-help frameworks and guidance to enable business teams to manage lower-risk activities independently.

• Drive adoption of AI and digital tools that enhance responsiveness and streamline processes.

• Identify and deliver continuous improvements that professionalise and future-proof Legal support.

Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure advice and documentation align with the Bank’s governance standards, policies and risk appetite.

• Manage relationships with external counsel, ensuring value for money and consistency of approach.

Collaboration and Culture

• Work closely with colleagues in the lending businesses and Technology teams to deliver joined-up solutions.

• Contribute to knowledge sharing and the development of playbooks, templates and standard precedents.

• Model the Bank’s values of building an exceptional customer franchise, fostering an innovative mindset to drive growth, and maintaining robust and sustainable platforms.

Key Capabilities

• Commercial judgement: pragmatic and outcome-oriented.

• Analytical strength: able to evaluate complex legal and structural issues.

• Collaboration: works effectively across teams and functions.

• Change orientation: proactive in identifying and delivering improvements.

• Accountability: takes ownership for delivery and standards.

The Person

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)

• Strong background in real estate finance gained in a leading law firm or financial institution.

• Proven ability to manage complex secured lending transactions independently.

• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with a solutions-driven, commercial mindset.

• Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and managing competing priorities.

• Experience in process improvement, legal operations or technology-enabled change is desirable

Reward

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment

• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app

• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause

• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health

• Cycle to work scheme

• Discounts on gym membership

• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year

• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme

• Discounts on gym membership nationwide

• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands

• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success

• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done