Director of Finance & Investments

Stono Group is a Charleston-based commercial real estate investment and development firm focused on industrial, flex, and retail assets across North and South Carolina. We are a lean, high-conviction team that moves quickly, operates efficiently, and builds long-term value through hands‑on asset management and disciplined capital deployment.

As we scale our portfolio across southeastern U.S. markets, we are adding a senior finance professional to own the full capital and asset management function. Learn more about our team at: StonoGroup.com

The Role

This is a foundational hire. You will be the financial architect of our platform, responsible for underwriting new acquisitions, managing the capital stack on existing assets, and building the analytical infrastructure that supports our growth. You will work directly with the founding partners across investments, capital deployment, and asset management, and will have meaningful ownership of outcomes.

The ideal candidate is capable of operating effectively in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment while building new processes from scratch. You are equally comfortable running a full acquisition and development model and sitting across the table from lenders and equity partners.

Underwriting & Financial Analysis

• Underwrite acquisition and development opportunities across industrial, flex, and retail property types using ARGUS and Excel‑based cash flow models, sensitivity tables, and return analysis (IRR, equity multiple, cash‑on‑cash).
• Analyze and structure investment opportunities including GP‑LP structures, syndications, joint ventures/co‑GP arrangements, etc.
• Build and maintain deal‑level financial models, including levered and unlevered return structures and distribution waterfall mechanics.
• Maintain and update portfolio‑level models used to revalue current assets, produce return metrics, and evaluate the impact of investment decisions on overall portfolio performance.
• Gather, compile, and analyze market data to identify investment opportunities; prepare narrative investment memoranda, detailed reports, and market summaries in support of internal decision‑making.
• Develop comprehensive knowledge of all company assets, strategy, processes, and systems.
• Prepare materials and deliverables for presentation to internal stakeholders, outside investors, lenders, and co‑GP partners.

Capital Markets & Deal Structuring

• Source, negotiate, and close debt financing including construction loans, bridge loans, permanent financing, and interest rate swap/hedge structures.
• Lead equity raise processes including preparation of offering materials and LP/co‑GP presentations.
• Coordinate with legal counsel on PSA financial provisions, loan documents, closing statements, and entity‑level structuring.
• Manage lender compliance including DSCR covenant tracking, prepayment exposure analysis, and draw request coordination.
• Monitor and report on financial and operational performance of all portfolio assets; track actual results versus underwriting and produce variance analysis and reforecasts.
• Critically evaluate existing real estate operations and business plan execution; identify new strategies to drive NOI and maximize returns across the portfolio.
• Identify, design, and implement asset‑level operational improvements in coordination with property management and the founding partners.
• Work alongside the Controller and bookkeeping team to ensure property‑level financial reporting accurately reflects asset performance.

Markets, Asset Types, and Return Focus

Charleston, SC|Greenville, SC|Columbia, SC|Charlotte, NC|Raleigh, NC|Greensboro, NC

Qualifications

• 4+ years in CRE finance, acquisitions, or investment banking with a CRE focus.
• Advanced proficiency in ARGUS Enterprise and Excel‑based cash flow modeling.
• Strong analytical, technical, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Broad knowledge of industrial real estate markets and investment strategies across regions.
• Experience working across multiple functions: investments, capital deployment, and asset management.
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment while building new processes.
• Demonstrated ability to own a transaction from LOI through closing without close supervision.
• Carolinas market familiarity (Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, Columbia).
• Prior experience in a small‑to‑mid‑size operator or entrepreneurial CRE platform.
• Experience preparing institutional‑quality investment committee materials and investor presentations.
• Familiarity with Yardi Breeze Premier or comparable property management/accounting software.
• Exposure to ISDA swap agreements, interest rate hedging, or structured finance.

Who Thrives Here

This is not a corporate role. We move fast, make decisions with conviction, and expect every team member to take ownership. The right person is analytical without being bureaucratic, comfortable with ambiguity, and energized by the opportunity to build something from a small but capable platform.

If you want layers of management and committees to sit behind, this is not the right seat. If you want your work to directly shape outcomes across investments, capital markets, and asset management, it is.