Are you an experienced real estate debt professional looking to make the move into loan origination?
We’re working with a relatively new, institutionally backed real estate lender that is looking to appoint an ambitious VP / Director to join its growing team.
The business is led by a highly experienced leadership team with an established track record in UK real estate finance. It provides flexible, value-add financing solutions across all commercial property asset classes, with loan sizes ranging from £5m to £50m, spanning both term lending and bridging finance.
This is an opportunity to join a well-capitalised, entrepreneurial platform at an exciting stage of its development, working directly alongside the founders and playing a meaningful role in its growth.
The Opportunity
The role combines deal origination, structuring, underwriting and execution, with a clear emphasis on developing into a successful loan originator.
This isn’t a pure underwriting role. You’ll need to genuinely enjoy and be motivated by the prospect of building your own origination pipeline. You don’t necessarily need to have an established origination track record, but you must ability, ambition and personality to become a successful originator.
Why Consider It?
- Institutional backing: A well-capitalised lending platform with ambitious growth plans.
- Experienced leadership: Work directly with founders who have a long track record in real estate finance.
- Broad lending mandate: £5m–£50m transactions across multiple property sectors, including term and bridge lending.
- Genuine autonomy: The opportunity to take ownership of transactions from initial structuring through to completion.
- Significant earnings potential: An eat-what-you-kill bonus structure that directly rewards successful origination.
- Long-term upside: Potential equity participation as the business develops.
You’ll need
- Strong experience in UK commercial real estate lending, ideally gained within a bank, debt fund or alternative lender.
- The ability to independently structure, analyse and underwrite transactions with minimal supervision.
- A thorough understanding of credit risk, loan structuring and transaction execution.
- The commercial appetite and interpersonal skills to develop relationships and generate new business.
- A hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset and the willingness to work within a relatively small, growing team.
A full job spec is available for people with the relevant experience.
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Real Estate Debt (Underwriting & Origination) employer: Caravel
Caravel is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where you can thrive as a Senior Analyst in Real Estate. With a focus on entrepreneurial private-market investing, the firm provides significant exposure to senior decision-makers and a steep learning curve, ensuring that your contributions are valued and impactful. Employees benefit from genuine progression opportunities and the chance to participate in transaction-level carry, making it a rewarding place for those looking to grow their careers in investment analysis.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Real Estate Debt (Underwriting & Origination)
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Caravel.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Caravel? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Caravel's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Real Estate Debt (Underwriting & Origination) role at Caravel, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caravel
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Caravel operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Caravel. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Caravel.
