Senior Originator – Real Estate Secured Lending

SENIOR ORIGINATOR – REAL ESTATE SECURED LENDING

Company Background

Calmwater is a leading direct commercial real estate bridge lender based in El Segundo, California. Founded in 2010, our investor base has grown to include state and international pension funds, top university endowments, and ultrahigh net worth individuals and family offices located both domestically and abroad.

With a focus on senior secured commercial real estate bridge loans between $7.5 and $75 million, we have originated over $4 billion of commercial real estate loans over the past 14 years across 239 transactions in 31 states. Calmwater Asset Management, LLC (dba Calmwater Capital), is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Job Description

Calmwater is seeking to hire a senior debt originations professional to its growing commercial real estate credit platform to be based in our New York, NY office. This individual will have the unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s origination activity on the East Coast and nationally. The ideal candidate will have experience across a range of debt investment segments and have the ability to effectively navigate and respond to a variety of high yielding opportunities through this cycle.

This individual should have an impressive track record of originating, structuring, and executing complex debt transactions and be a well-respected, accomplished, and financially sophisticated investment professional. 

Key Responsibilities

• As a senior debt investor, successfully originate, structure, and execute debt investment deals that are relevant and acceptable to the Calmwater platform; help to lead across all aspects of the business with a primary focus on investment origination, analysis and underwriting;
• Maintain and grow a strong network of relationships with brokers, sponsors and other CRE professionals;
• In collaboration with the other professionals, set the strategy for the platform and adjust it as the market requires;
• Seek and assess market opportunities to grow new markets;
• Perform as a leader of the Calmwater business, taking responsibility and accountability for the success of the broader business.

The Senior Originator will be a proven real estate credit originations professional with leadership potential.  The candidate will most likely come from a debt fund manager, the bridge lending or CMBS group of a large financial institution, a commercial bank, or mortgage finance firm.

• Minimum eight years of relevant commercial real estate experience in a role with primary focus on originating high yield credit transactions.
• Track record sourcing investment opportunities that are relevant to Calmwater, with an ability to travel frequently;
• Principal perspective and an originations/client focus;
• Integrative thinker with a thorough knowledge of commercial real estate industry;
• Experience working as part of a larger team; must possess innate ability to succeed in a highly collaborative and collegial environment;
• Deep, innate knowledge of real estate fundamentals with strong commercial sense around valuation and market opportunities; sophisticated understanding of the structuring and pricing of real estate loans, as well as the use of leverage as it applies to loans and vehicle structures;
• Deep commercial real estate finance industry experience and knowledge required; prior experience in a similar mid-market credit lending environment preferred but not require;
• Able to build strong partnerships with staff at all levels; expert influencing skills;
• Ability to incorporate and understand information from variety of sources to stay ahead of market/economic trends that may impact the organization's businesses;
• Significant network of relevant industry relationships;
• Low ego and strong entrepreneurial drive;
• Experience across the capital structure with a focus on high yield debt investments (senior and mezzanine debt);
• Must have exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Rigorous analytics and strong credit skills.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree required, with an advanced degree and/or industry designations preferred.

Compensation

Base Salary:  $185,000-$225,000; discretionary bonus; full benefits; 401k match.

Calmwater Capital is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Calmwater Capital is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.