Legal Counsel

Job Description

Puma Property Finance are looking for a Legal Counsel to join our Legal team in London.

Puma Property Finance facilitates development loans from £10 million to £100 million to finance residential, commercial and specialist sector projects such as hotels, student accommodation and care homes. With no capital losses to date, we've also been able to attract £1 billion of funding from established institutional investors, to complement the funds raised from our retail investors. We have provided over £2bn of funding to property developments since inception and continue to grow both our retail and institutional capital sources. We recently entered into a new strategic partnership with Madison International Realty, a leading institutional real estate private equity firm headquartered in New York, which saw Madison acquire a 24.5% stake in Puma Property Finance Ltd and provide a cornerstone investment into our new discretionary debt fund. In addition, we have recently formed a joint venture with leading global investment firm KKR to expand UK living sector lending, providing up to £500m in senior development and stabilisation loans to fund best-in-class residential, build-to-rent and student accommodation schemes.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated lawyer with a strong background in UK real estate development finance to join our Legal team within Puma Property Finance. Reporting to the Head of Legal and working closely with one other Legal Counsel, you will utilise your transactional experience within a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment and take on a business facing role.

This role requires a self-motivated and resourceful team player with demonstrable communication skills, who can work under pressure. We have a reputation for excellence, and you will be required to protect and enhance this reputation. We are looking for a lawyer with the required experience and confidence to understand the issues arising on transactions and, once comfortable following a period of training and familiarisation, execute deals autonomously, seeking advice when necessary. You will be trusted to manage projects independently directly with the origination team and external counsel.

Role Responsibilities:

• Supporting the origination team, primarily assisting on the execution of development lending transactions, together with external counsel
• Providing internal advice on all matters relating to Puma Property Finance transactions, from the inception of deals through to repayment of loans
• Supporting the wider Puma Property Finance business, providing sound advice to colleagues on legal issues both from a strategic and operational perspective
• Developing and managing relationships with external counsel
• Working with the business operating teams across the group (primarily Compliance; Finance) on Puma Property Finance related matters

Experience Required:

• Training and post qualification experience gained in a reputable real estate finance practice, around 3 years’ PQE, with in-house financial services experience being advantageous
• Proven experience of structuring and leading the execution of transactions from inception to close, with the ability to work across multiple matters simultaneously
• Direct experience of drafting and leading negotiations on key transaction documents such as term sheets, facility agreements, intercreditor agreements and security documents etc., in the LMA form
• Proven ability to communicate ideas clearly and succinctly in jargon-free language to colleagues with no legal background
• Commercially minded lawyer who maintains high standards and attention to detail, makes clear decisions, and makes commercial recommendations to deal teams, whilst taking responsibility for those decisions
• Demonstrable experience of working well within a team and negotiating independently and effectively, whilst maintaining strong relationships both with internal stakeholders and external counterparties
• Appetite to learn and develop new approaches, and expand legal and commercial knowledge, including negotiating new and existing lending opportunities
• Ability to translate legal skills and experience into successful execution of transactions in a commercially‐minded organisation
• Experience in general finance, restructuring, real estate, construction, would be beneficial but not essential
• Familiarity with ancillary real estate finance documentation such as certificates of title, broker letters and construction contracts would be beneficial but not essential

Personal Attributes:

• Kind
• Values-driven
• Excellent communicator
• Adaptable and willing to get stuck into whatever needs doing
• Depth of character and gravitas but operating with humility
• The drive and attitude to excel in a high performing environment whilst maintaining high levels of integrity
• Energy, dynamism, and passion for complex business challenge
• Organised, rigorous and disciplined
• Pragmatic and practical

About Us

Founded in 2012, Puma Capital Group is an award-winning investment manager operating within the tax efficient space and is a leading provider of growth capital to UK SMEs and property finance to developers and real estate investors.

The Puma Capital Group comprises four businesses focused on delivering long-term sustainable growth for our investors and partners:

• Puma Investments
• Puma Property Finance
• Puma Growth Partners
• Puma Public Markets

Collectively the Group has over £1 billion in assets under management, supports over 14,000 investors, and has funded over £2 billion in property developments across the UK. We are proud to have assisted dozens of businesses across the UK elevate and build to deliver on their brilliant ideas.

In the years since we were set up, Puma Capital Group has grown significantly. We are now around 140 people across the Group, with our staff working from our head office in London, and regional offices in Manchester and Edinburgh.

It is an exceptionally exciting time for our business. Combining our already very strong track record with ambitious growth strategies, we have already developed our market share substantially and are looking to build further on our success.

At Puma, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, family or parental status, national origin, veteran status, neurodiversity, or disability status.

We strive to provide a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Our commitment to equal opportunity extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and development.

Importantly, research shows that men typically apply for roles when around 60% of the criteria is met, however, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they tick every box. So, if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point outlined in the role description, please do still get in touch – we would love to hear from you!