Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.
Job Description
Position Summary
The VP, Debt Asset Management position actively manages highly structured commercial transitional and stretch first mortgage and mezzanine loans. The VP will partner with Portfolio Management, Capital Markets, Originations, Investor Relations and Finance & Accounting teams on deal level modifications and restructuring solutions, loan resolutions, borrower relationships, reporting, and forecasting. The candidate is expected to manage a loan portfolio collateralized by various asset types and business plans immediately. A team player approach is critical in this role.
Primary Functions and Essential Responsibilities
- Actively monitor and analyze loan and asset-level performance, identify potential market/credit risks, and develop an action plan to address any issues and provide strategic guidance
- Effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, providing loan updates and recommendations in large group meetings with senior management
- Negotiate various loan modifications, workout and restructuring scenarios, including discounted payoffs, loan sales, deed-in-lieu, foreclosures, and position splits and ultimate operating and re-positioning of an asset
- Drive financial results by understanding the various financial goals and hurdles of each investment and investment vehicle to optimize performance
- Manage REO assets, devising business plan, overseeing property management and operations, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Ensure proper execution during ownership and oversee disposition process
- Work with Capital Markets regarding leverage modifications and/or refinancings needed during an asset’s investment life
- Assist in enhancing asset management reporting, asset level and portfolio analytics, and industry best practices
- Work closely with loan servicer to ensure best practices, while providing recommendations to enhance the servicing function for the loan portfolio
- Responsible for collateral valuation/re-underwriting process and quarterly CECL and risk ratings
- Prepare and/or review regular reporting for various purposes: investor, lender, internal, public reporting, etc.
- Participate in investor calls and updates, supporting the Portfolio Management and Investor Relations teams
- Establish strong borrower relationships and identify business development opportunities to foster borrower relationships and new origination opportunities
- Maintain compliance with Servicing & Participation Agreements and Asset Management Policies & Procedures
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, or Real Estate with exceptional academic credentials
- 6 to 10+ years of experience in debt origination or debt asset management, including extensive workouts, structuring and restructuring of commercial real estate assets
- Strong proficiency in financial modeling with the ability to interpret complex financial data and perform detailed loan performance assessments
- Experience with large loans ($100M+) with a focus on transitional (bridge), redevelopment and ground-up construction
- Deep understanding of loan documentation including credit agreements, covenant structures, and legal terminology
- Strong communication skills with the ability to analyze complex situations and articulate ideas and strategies, both verbally and in writing
- Proven negotiating skills to navigate difficult loan resolutions
- Exceptional analytical and financial modeling skills, with proficiency in Argus and Excel
- Outstanding leadership skills and management of direct reports
- Ability to multi-task in a collaborative environment and work successfully under pressure while effectively managing time and workload
- A desire to work within a diverse, collaborative, and driven professional and client facing environment
Reporting Relationships
Principal, Real Estate Debt
Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.
$190,000.00 - $225,000.00
The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.
Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.
There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.
