Origination and Execution Director - Real Estate Debt in London

At Barings, we are as invested in our associates as we are in our clients. We recognise those who work diligently for us and reward them for personal and professional integrity, communication skills, distinct competencies and expertise in specific strategies, ability to collaborate as a team member and true dedication to the interests of our clients.

Overall Purpose of Role

Located in Frankfurt and working in close collaboration with the Head of Origination (London) and a Senior Director (Madrid), the candidate will be responsible for originating commercial real estate loans with borrowers across Europe, with a particular focus and principal responsibility for Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. In addition, the candidate will also support wider team loan origination efforts in the UK, Spain, Ireland, France and Belgium. The candidate is to have relevant experience in sourcing whole loan (value add, opportunistic and construction) and senior (core / core plus) opportunities.

The candidate is to source, review and present new loan opportunities to the wider team and then work with the Underwriting & Execution team in taking transactions through the Investment Committee process and into diligence, documentation and closing. The candidate is to also contribute to the team deciding upon appropriate and deliverable investment strategies and be able to articulate these both internally and externally.

Principal Responsibilities

• Help grow the Real Estate Debt strategy across Europe reporting to the Head of European Real Estate Debt Origination.
• Working predominantly on performing Whole Loan, Senior, Bridge & Development Finance origination.
• Originating financing opportunities with European Real Estate borrowers (Funds, Property Companies), Banks / Real Estate Lenders and debt advisers.
• Negotiating Heads of Terms with the Borrower and being responsible for securing Barings Investment Committee approval.
• Working with RE Debt colleagues to ensure the smooth and efficient closing of the loans originated.
• Working with Origination colleagues to maximise market coverage and deal generation.
• Looking at Distressed and Recapitalization opportunities in debt.
• The role will involve travel within Europe, as required, to build or enhance current and new client and borrower relationships and may involve occasional travel to North America for internal & external meetings.

Capital Formulation and Underwriting

• Generate new lending opportunities, which are consistent with the strategy, objectives and lending parameters of the business plan.
• Expand the lending operation into specific new European jurisdictions including the development of loan documents, underwriting protocols and professional advisor networks.
• Work closely with appropriate Barings European “Country Heads” in the existing European Real Estate teams in Europe in the evaluation and closing of potential loan opportunities.
• Present loan transactions prior to execution to relevant stakeholders and committees for approval.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience and involvement in all transactional aspects including origination, underwriting, committee approval and closing.
• Strong leader and absolute team player (this is a hands-on direct origination role in a small team environment).
• Proven ability to formulate strategy and develop products.
• Exceptional reputation and demonstrable track record as a real estate loan originator in Europe.
• A senior role with significant origination experience in a senior and/or subordinate lending role.
• Educated to degree level with post-graduate qualification in real estate/finance related discipline preferred.
• Good understanding and, ideally hands-on experience, of the end-to-end operating model, policies and procedures for a successful CRE lending business.
• Established relationships in target markets and a thorough knowledge of all real estate markets and real estate asset classes in Continental Europe.
• Ability to identify risk in new transactions and effectively develop and implement mitigation strategies and appropriate pricing metrics.
• Expertise in creditor rights and real estate law in multiple jurisdictions across Europe.
• Expertise in non-performing loan (NPL) management and investment would be useful.
• Ability to influence and engage indirect reports and peers.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with clients, prospective clients, senior management and colleagues.
• Work closely with the Barings management team in the UK in building the reputation of the debt business in the UK/Continental Europe.

Desirable

• Additional European language would be advantageous (in particular, German, Spanish, French or Dutch).

Leadership & Management

• Build and embed a positive culture to working within Conduct Risk regulation within your business area.
• Potentially to train the staff in your business area to understand the Conduct Rules and how they are applicable to their role.
• Maintain records of evidence to support the fitness and propriety assessment of relevant direct reports.
• Provide opportunities for associates to keep their technical, regulatory and personal skills and knowledge up to date.

Professional Development

• Keep technical, regulatory and personal skills and knowledge up to date, maintain records to evidence how this has been achieved.

Regulatory Responsibilities

• Abide by the FCA Conduct Rules and other applicable FCA rules and regulations.
• Abide by Barings rules and regulations.
• Complete all mandatory compliance training within the required timescales.
• Complete all F&P assessments and performance appraisals within required timescales.

Barings is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; Minority/Female/Age/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply.