Finance Director, Real Estate Debt- Europe

Barings; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial services firm seeks a Finance Director for Real Estate Debt in London. This role entails serving as the lead finance partner, overseeing financial activities, and fostering collaboration across regions. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational and analytical skills, have over 12 years of experience in commercial Real Estate credit, and excel in communication. Competitive compensation and the opportunity to drive business strategies are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing global teams across multiple time zones.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to drive business growth.
• Extensive experience in commercial Real Estate credit, with over 12 years in the industry.
• Ability to interpret and manage complex financial models.
• Exceptional communication skills to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance partner and adviser to the Real Estate Debt portfolio management team.
• Oversee financial and operational activities for European Real Estate Debt.
• Monitor operational and financial risk including liquidity and capital risk.
• Supervise monthly and quarterly fund reporting cycles.
• Optimize cash management ensuring timely funding of deals.

Skills

Organizational skills

Commercial acumen

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Ability to multitask

Financial modeling

FX hedging knowledge

Team management

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

Excel

Aladdin

Real Insight

Anaplan

Job description

At Barings, we are as invested in our associates as we are in our clients. We recognize those who work diligently for us and reward them for personal and professional integrity, communication skills, distinct competencies and expertise in specific strategies, ability to collaborate as a team member and true dedication to the interests of our clients.

We thank you for your interest in joining the Barings team, and invite you to explore our current employment opportunities.

Title: Finance Director, Real Estate Debt- Europe

Business Unit: Global Portfolio Services

Location: London, UK

Barings is a leading global financial services firm dedicated to meeting the evolving investment and capital needs of our clients and customers. Through active asset management and direct origination, we provide innovative solutions and access to differentiated opportunities across public and private capital markets. A subsidiary of MassMutual, Barings maintains a strong global presence with business and investment professionals located across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Job Summary

• Serve as the lead finance partner and strategic adviser to the Real Estate Debt portfolio management team.
• Oversee all financial and operational activities for Barings European Real Estate Debt, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration within the Real Estate team across Europe, US and APAC, driving platform solutions and operational efficiencies.
• Optimize investor returns through strategic financial management and innovative solutions.

Primary Responsibilities

General

• Finance lead for European Real Estate Debt
• Pivotal role in fostering cross-regional collaboration within the Real Estate Debt team across Europe, the US, and APAC.
• Day to day monitoring of operational and financial risk (including liquidity risk, capital risk, credit risk, tax risk and foreign exchange risk).
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate risk and optimise fund performance.
• Design and implement strategies / processes to ensure operational efficiency.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to influence and drive operational strategy across the organization.
• Lead initiatives to develop and implement platform solutions that enhance operational efficiencies and streamline processes across regions.
• Facilitate regular communication and coordination between regional teams to share best practices, address challenges, and leverage synergies.

Investor communication

• Regular meetings with and presentations to investors, defining content delivering key messages.
• Preparation of investor questionnaires and ad-hoc financial analysis requested by investors
• Support Investor Relations and Fund Analyst through timely and accurate responses to ad hoc queries
• Coordinating with lawyers, accountants and other advisors in drafting responses to questions from potential investors during fund raising
• Work with the legal advisers and administrators in on-boarding investors and developing a good relationship with investors.

Reporting and financial appraisal

• Supervision of monthly and quarterly fund reporting cycles, including co-ordination and review of quarterly NAVs (IFRS), US GAAP reconciliations and payment of distributions.
• Supervision of annual financial / tax reporting process, including audit of the entities.
• Analysis of budgeted income, opex and capex expenditure
• Returns attribution analysis and interpretation

Treasury

• Optimise cash management / liquidity ensuring timely accurate funding of deals, opex, etc
• FX hedging – develop and implement hedging strategy (both asset and share-class)

Operations

• Oversight of all operational activity related to the Real Estate debt business including:
  • Supplier / advisor management (Co-Sec, valuations, hedging advisor, auditors, tax advisers)
  • Maintenance and compliance of tax structure
  • VAT compliance
  • Debt compliance
  • Drive operational efficiency with Barings internal systems (Aladdin, Real Insight, Anaplan)
  • Manage fund governance - regular board presentations

Debt raising and management

• Implementation of finance facilities and related security packages together with Director, Debt Capital Markets. Satisfaction of CPs, including dealing with vendors / lenders / advisers.
• Management of interest payments, draw-downs and repayments.
• Monitoring satisfaction of debt covenants.
• Preparation of periodic covenant reporting.
• Dealing with any bank queries and remedying any instances of financial default.

Qualifications

The Senior Fund Controller will also be required to assist with other projects as required by Barings from time to time.

• Highly organized, proactive self-starter with a strategic mindset.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to drive business growth.
• Proven experience in managing global teams across multiple time zones.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize a high volume of tasks effectively
• Ability to interpret and manage complex financial models
• Extensive experience in commercial Real Estate credit, with over 12 years in the industry.
• Advanced excel
• Deep understanding and experience of FX hedging – asset and share class
• Experience with large scale systems implementations highly desirable.
• Qualified Accountant (12 yrs+) with a strong background in Luxembourg open ended fund structures

Barings is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; Minority/Female/Age/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Individual with Disability/Protected Veteran. We welcome all persons to apply.