Associate, Debt

Job Description

Job Description

Bellwether is a global advisory firm that helps businesses solve their most complex challenges and enhance enterprise value. We specialize in formulating and executing dynamic growth strategies through true partnership with our clients. Merging deep industry expertise, advanced analytical capabilities and best-in-class talent, we create value across the business lifecycle, from transaction management to operational transformation. Bellwether specializes in the management, analysis, and reporting of over $40 billion of AUM across a wide range of real estate related assets and corporate platforms in North America, Europe and Asia. Bellwether is privately held and has offices in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, London and Dallas. 

Overview

The Debt Asset Management Team is responsible for the oversight of a portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments. The Associate, Debt will be responsible for supporting the asset management team in preserving and creating value in the existing portfolio. This role will work alongside the investment team in the origination, underwriting and execution of real estate debt related investment opportunities across various property types. The Associate, Debt will support the team by overseeing investments as the primary point of contact for the client, evaluate property performance and present well-reasoned and decisive recommendations to senior management, and provide oversight and mentorship to junior staff members to support an expanding Asset Management platform. The Associate, Debt will be a dynamic team player with a desire to lead junior members of the team and can succeed in a highly entrepreneurial environment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the proactive monitoring and management of a portfolio of debt investments (US and non-US) 
  across all property types (office, industrial, hotel, retail, & residential) and securitized products, serving 
  as primary point for each loan assigned investments;
• Develop and maintain detailed asset-level cash flow reforecasting models;
• Manage the draw review process for assets that include construction or significant 
  
  renovation/alteration projects, actively monitor the progress of the work against the budget and 
  underwritten assumptions;
• Guide Analysts in the maintenance of detailed asset- and portfolio-reporting models to monitor the 
  performance of investments at the asset level;
• Underwrite a variety of asset classes using Excel-based underwriting models, including complex cash 
  flow, budget, IRR and fund/partnership waterfall modeling;
• Review and analyze business plans, leasing activity and monthly property-operating performance;
• Attend debt platform investment committee meetings and present findings to senior management;
• Perform property inspections;
• Track and highlight late payments and potential payoff and maturity date issues. Make 
  recommendations for loan modifications and various other borrower requests;
• Market research and competitive analysis;
• Liaison with operating partners and leading members of the Acquisition Teams to review business plan 
  execution; and
• Demonstrate strong leadership abilities and effective management skills, with a desire to manage, 
  mentor, and develop team members. 

• People Management Responsibilities: 
  o Involved with staff selection, interviewing and training as needed; 
  o Oversee the day-to-day workload and performance of direct reports, providing clear direction 
  and support as needed to achieve work objectives; 
  o Ensure that direct reports understand their duties and delegated tasks; 
  o Monitor performance and development of direct reports and provide constructive and timely 
  feedback and coaching; 
  o Work with direct reports to set individual goals and deadlines and conduct regular performance 
  reviews aligned with performance review process; and 
  o Handle discipline of employees in accordance with company policy 

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience 
• Asset Management, Development, or Acquisitions across major asset classes experience preferred; 
  client-facing experience preferred
• Asset management experience, including development and analysis of real estate-based financial 
  models with a focus on multifamily, office, and industrial assets;
• Asset management experience, including development and analysis of real estate-based financial 
  models, underwriting, valuations and discounted cash flows
• Experience with property underwriting and advanced financial modeling;
• Ability to read and analyze Loan documents, lease and management agreements
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and ARGUS Enterprise; and
• Familiarity with the leading commercial real estate market data resources (i.e. CoStar, Real Capital 
  Analytics, etc.) a plus. 

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Economics, or a related field 
  of study.

Essential Skills & Competencies

• Bellwether seeks to hire entrepreneurial individuals who are highly motivated, mature and intelligent, with demonstrated excellence in prior endeavors. The successful candidate should have:

• Job Knowledge & Technical Ability: Development and analysis of real estate-based financial models with a focus on multifamily, office, and industrial assets; ability to build out a complex financial model from scratch including waterfalls and various debt structures. Ability to perform market analyses to develop reasoned inputs for modeling assumptions.
• Initiative & Dependability: Ability to perform responsibilities independently and proactively, solve problems, and improve processes and/or services. Self-directed, takes initiative and responsibility, ensures completion of tasks.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong listening and interpersonal skills. Highly effective at preparing and presenting information
• Professionalism & Teamwork: Acts with honesty and integrity and maintains confidentiality, adheres to company policies. Promotes a collaborative and productive work environment. Demonstrates team building, support and respect.
• Leadership & Management: Ability to supervise and direct people and/or resources to meet department goals. Able to motivate people and plan/prioritize operations while responding to changing conditions. Able to cultivate and build relationships with team and clients. Models values and behaviors

Travel Requirements

• Local and/or nationwide travel to assets and client sites required on an as-needed basis, approximately 
  1-2 times per month depending on deal list.

Position Details

• Classification:   Exempt
• Position Status:   Regular, Full Time
• Reports To:   Vice President, Senior Vice President or Managing Director 
• Direct Reports:  Yes

Physical and Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, and walk. Must be able to sit at an office workstation for an extended period of time. May need to reach, stoop, or kneel to access items.
• Must be able to talk, hear and use wrists, hands and/or fingers frequently and repetitively to operate a computer, telephone and other office productivity machinery.
• Must frequently prepare or inspect documents, and convey details or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Ability to work independently, and prioritize duties to ensure timely completion. The ability to collaborate is also imperative.
• Requires active listening, critical thinking, making decisions, time management, as well as administration skills.
• Ability to interact in a courteous professional manner at all times.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.
• The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Work Environment

• No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions (such as in a typical office).
• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phones, printers and light traffic)
• Indoor business office environment with windows; light foot traffic within work areas
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision, with buy-up options available
• Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account
• Carrot Fertility Benefit - $10,000 lifetime benefit
• 401k company match 4%, immediately vested
• Generous PTO, 11 Paid Company Holidays & Paid Holiday Office Closure
• 14 weeks Maternity Leave & 12 weeks Parental Leave
• Wellbeing program offerings
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Engaging team events & holiday parties

Intent of Position Description

This position description describes the general nature and level of work required by the position. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities or working conditions of the job. The job description is subject to change with or without notice, and Management reserves the right to add, modify or remove any qualification or duty. Nothing in this job description changes the existing at-will employment relationship between the Company and the employee occupying the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bellwether is an equal-opportunity employer. Bellwether complies with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition  (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decision-making, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age, sexual orientation, protected veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. All candidates must be able to prove eligibility to work in the United States.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.