Director of Underwriting and Execution

 

The Company is a vertically integrated real estate investment and management firm leveraging its expertise and wide range of capabilities to identify opportunities, unlock value, and create growth. The Company runs a growing residential and commercial portfolio of over $2 billion in assets with several large private equity and high net worth partners.

The Company is seeking an experienced Director of Underwriting and Execution to lead the underwriting, analysis and execution of the firm’s investment transactions across both equity and debt opportunities. Based in New York City, this director-level role will participate in all aspects of the investment process, working on multiple assignments. The Director will play an integral part in financial analysis, due diligence, and transaction execution, regularly interfacing with clients, partners, and internal investment committees to drive deals to completion. This is a high-impact position for a candidate with a strong real estate finance background and proven deal execution skills, offering the opportunity to shape portfolio strategy and contribute to continued growth.

 

Deal Underwriting: Evaluate and underwrite potential investment opportunities – both equity acquisitions (primarily multifamily) and structured finance deals (preferred equity, mezzanine or bridge debt) – ensuring each meets The Company’s investment criteria and risk-return targets. Build detailed pro forma models to analyze cash flows, returns, and sensitivities across various asset classes.

 

Transaction Execution: Lead deal execution with support from the team, including structuring transactions, negotiating key deal documents (term sheets, purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, loan agreements), and coordinating all parties through closing. Work closely with legal counsel, lenders, and partners to finalize terms that align with The Company’s objectives.

 

Due Diligence Management: Oversee the due diligence process for acquisitions and financings, coordinating property inspections, third-party reports (appraisals, environmental, engineering), financial audits, and market studies. Identify and evaluate any risks or issues uncovered (title, zoning, structural, tenant leases, etc.), and develop mitigation strategies or deal contingencies.

 

Investment Committee Presentation: Prepare comprehensive investment memoranda and approval packages for internal Investment Committee review. Present analysis, findings, and business plans clearly, highlighting the opportunity’s merits, risks, and alignment with portfolio strategy. Articulate recommendations to senior management and incorporate feedback to guide final investment decisions.

 

Financial Analysis & Modeling: Oversee financial modeling for all prospective deals, ensuring accuracy of underwriting assumptions (rent growth, cap rates, construction costs, financing terms, etc.) and performing sensitivity analyses. Review and approve models prepared by analysts, and refine underwriting templates and processes to continuously improve efficiency and accuracy

 

Portfolio Strategy & Asset Management: Collaborate with the asset management team. Contribute to portfolio-level strategic decisions such as refinancing, recapitalization, and disposition timing by providing updated underwriting on held assets (e.g. hold vs. sell analysis and return projections).

 

Market Research & Sourcing: Stay attuned to market trends in NYC multifamily and nationally across other property sectors, using this insight to inform underwriting assumptions and identify attractive opportunities. Work with senior executives to refine investment strategy and occasionally support deal sourcing efforts by cultivating relationships with brokers, owners, and potential joint venture partners.

 

Team Leadership & Coordination: Supervise and mentor junior team members (Analysts/Associates) in underwriting and due diligence tasks. Coordinate cross-functional input from internal stakeholders – acquisitions, capital markets, legal, and property management – to ensure a smooth and thorough investment review process. 

 

Process Improvement: Take initiative to enhance The Company’s underwriting frameworks, checklists, and investment processes. Implement best practices for risk assessment, standardize analysis tools, and contribute to developing internal guidelines for evaluating new investment types or markets. Ensure all deals adhere to the firm’s underwriting standards and approval protocols.

 

·         Experience: 4-7 years of progressive experience in real estate investments, acquisitions, and/or debt underwriting, with a strong focus on multifamily assets. Prior experience in both equity deal underwriting and real estate finance (debt or structured finance) is highly desired, reflecting an ability to navigate all parts of the capital stack. Candidate must have previous experience in New York City underwriting.

·         Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, real estate, business or related field preferred. Formal credit training or designation is advantageous for the debt aspects of the role.

·         Skills: Advanced financial modeling capabilities (Excel, Argus, etc.) including modeling complex joint-venture structures, waterfalls and promote distributions. Exceptional analytical and due diligence skills, with the ability to identify key deal risks and mitigants. Strong negotiation skills with experience negotiating term sheets and legal documents for acquisitions and financings. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective investment memo writing and presentations.

·         Market Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the New York City real estate market, particularly multifamily housing dynamics, with broad exposure to other major markets and asset classes nationally. Insight into market trends, rents, expenses, and valuation benchmarks in target markets.

·         Professional Traits: Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated leadership in mentoring teams and driving projects to completion. An entrepreneurial mindset with the flexibility to work in a small-to-mid size firm environment, taking initiative and wearing multiple hats as needed. Uncompromising integrity and work ethic.

 

Target total compensation $175,000–$250,000. The exact package will be commensurate with experience and qualifications and may include additional incentives tied to deal performance or equity participation in investments (as applicable to company policy).