Head of Operations & Business Management

Ascend Real Estate Advisors is growing 50% year over year, and now we are making the most important hire in our history. We are looking for the leader who can help build the infrastructure to support our next stage of growth. For the person who demonstrates exceptional leadership and execution, this is a direct path to Managing Director within 6 to 12 months, with expanded compensation and equity upside.

Reporting directly to the founder, you'll serve as a key member of the leadership team, helping shape how the firm operates, scales, and delivers for clients. The systems you build, the team you develop, and the standards you set will directly shape the future of this firm.

If you are passionate about Commercial Real Estate finance and are energized by building organizations rather than simply operating within them, we'd like to talk.

What You’ll Own

Operations & Infrastructure

Build and continuously refine the systems, processes, and quality controls that power client delivery — from onboarding and deal workflow to reporting and internal operations. Own the firm's core platforms, including Monday.com, and ensure they scale with the business.

Financial Analysis & Deal Oversight

Own the firm's analytical function. Build, review, and stress-test financial models, pro formas, and investment analyses supporting CRE lending, development financing, and mixed‑use investments. Set the standard for rigor and accuracy before anything reaches a client.

Scaling & Growth

Lead the firm's capacity and geographic expansion strategy — identifying bottlenecks before they constrain growth and building ahead of demand. Serve as the key escalation point for complex operational, deal‑related, and team challenges.

Lead the firm's AI and automation strategy — identifying and implementing tools that increase capacity, sharpen analysis, and improve client communication. Champion technology as a core competitive advantage.

Team Building

Recruit, develop, and lead the team required to support rapid growth across analysis, client service, and operations. Set priorities, drive accountability, and build a culture of execution and ownership.

Who We’re Looking For

We're looking for someone who enjoys building. You seek to improve systems before they become bottlenecks and combine strong analytical thinking with practical execution. You are energized by rapid growth rather than overwhelmed by it. You are as comfortable stress‑testing a complex deal model as you are redesigning the process behind it.

Specifically, you bring:

7+ years of progressive experience in operations, strategy, finance, or general management in commercial real estate, commercial lending, or real estate financial services.

Demonstrated track record of building systems, processes, and teams that enabled an organization to scale.

Strong financial acumen, including CRE lending, development financing, underwriting, or mixed‑use investment analysis.

Experience leading and developing teams, with the ability to recruit and retain strong talent.

Hands‑on comfort with AI and automation tools in a professional setting.

Preferred: MBA or graduate degree in Finance or Real Estate; CFA, CFP, or CCIM; experience in an EOS/Traction Integrator capacity; familiarity with Monday.com.

About Ascend

Ascend Real Estate Advisors provides specialized financial advisory and capital solutions to real estate investors and developers. We go deep, not wide — and we win because of it, consistently moving faster and sharper than firms many times our size. Our vision is a firm where mutual financial success is the standard: advisors genuinely invested in client outcomes, and clients who trust us as true partners.

Compensation

Performance incentive tied to firm growth and operational milestones — total earnings potential $175,000+

Health insurance, employer retirement plan, PTO, paid holidays, Employee Investment Plan

Direct path to Managing Director role with expanded compensation and scope

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