At a Glance
- Tasks: Originate and lead real estate financing transactions across Europe, assessing risks and structuring deals.
- Company: Join a well-capitalised European real estate private credit platform with an entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Access to significant institutional capital and autonomy in a dynamic investment environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and exposure to diverse European markets and asset classes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by originating and executing complex financing solutions in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: 9+ years in real estate lending with strong origination and execution skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Cobalt is partnering with an established and well-capitalised European real estate private credit platform to appoint a Senior Vice President / Director to its London-based investment team.
Backed by significant institutional capital and with an active lending pipeline, the business is looking to add an experienced real estate debt professional with strong origination and execution capabilities across the UK and continental Europe.
This is a highly commercial role for an accomplished transactor who can originate opportunities, assess risk, structure financing solutions and independently lead transactions through to completion.
Key responsibilities
- Originate mid-market real estate financing opportunities across the UK and continental Europe, developing relationships with borrowers, sponsors and intermediaries.
- Lead transactions from initial screening and underwriting through structuring, credit approval, documentation and completion.
- Assess property-level, borrower and market risk across a range of real estate sectors and European jurisdictions.
- Build and interrogate financial models, investment cases and downside scenarios to support lending decisions.
- Structure and negotiate complex financing solutions, balancing commercial opportunity with appropriate risk-adjusted returns and protections.
- Prepare and present investment recommendations to internal decision-makers and institutional funding partners.
- Coordinate legal, technical, valuation and other third-party advisers throughout due diligence and execution.
- Negotiate term sheets and transaction documentation alongside internal and external counsel.
- Continue to develop the platform's European origination network and contribute to its wider investment strategy.
- Candidate profile
- Approximately 9+ years' relevant experience within real estate lending, private credit or a closely related investment environment.
- A demonstrable recent track record of originating and executing European mid-market real estate financings, typically involving loan sizes of £30m–£150m, with particular relevance to the £35m–£80m segment.
- Proven ability to independently lead transactions from origination through to completion.
- Experience across multiple European geographies and a range of real estate asset classes.
- Strong underwriting, financial analysis and structuring capabilities, including experience of complex or structurally sophisticated transactions.
- An established network of sponsors, borrowers, advisers and intermediaries within the European real estate market.
- Strong commercial judgement, communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
- Detailed understanding of financing documentation.
- Entrepreneurial, self-directed and comfortable operating within a lean, collaborative investment environment.
- London-based or willing to relocate to London. Additional European language skills would be advantageous.
The opportunity
The successful candidate will join a well-capitalised, institutionally backed lending platform with genuine appetite to deploy across Europe.
The business combines access to significant institutional capital with the autonomy, speed and entrepreneurial culture of a specialist investment platform.
The role offers meaningful scope to build relationships, originate transactions and take ownership of deals, alongside broad exposure to European markets, asset classes and complex financing situations.
We are particularly interested in speaking with credible dealmakers who combine strong technical execution with a genuine origination mindset.
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Director - European Real Estate Debt in London employer: Cobalt Recruitment
Join a dynamic real estate development and investment management firm in London, where your expertise in equity capital raising will be highly valued. With a lucrative salary and performance-based bonuses, you'll thrive in a high-growth environment that fosters collaboration and innovation among ambitious investors. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth, offering unique opportunities to expand your professional network and enhance your skills in a vibrant city known for its financial prowess.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - European Real Estate Debt in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Cobalt Recruitment. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Cobalt Recruitment.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Cobalt Recruitment. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director - European Real Estate Debt in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Cobalt Recruitment and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Cobalt Recruitment how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cobalt Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Cobalt Recruitment.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Cobalt Recruitment's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
