Asset Manager (Central Region)

National Equity Fund; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

National Equity Fund, Inc. (NEF) seeks an Asset Manager to lead asset and transaction activities from investment proposal through the life of lower-tier partnerships, ensuring delivery of tax credit benefits.

You will manage property operations, assess risks, ensure compliance with Section 42, and mentor analysts while building relations with sponsors, lenders, and agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate finance, economics, business, accounting, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ responsible experience in asset management, property management, or real estate finance.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify and mitigate risks.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the financial feasibility of investment proposals from asset management perspective.
• Establish and maintain relationships with General Partner staff and ensure reporting obligations.
• Manage construction, lease-up, cost certification, and 8609 executions for on-time credits.
• Oversee compliance reviews and address deficiencies or 8823 filings.

Skills

Asset management

Financial analysis

Team leadership

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

MS Office

SMT system

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Corp. Office - Chicago, IL - Chicago, IL 60661.
Position Type: Full Time.
Education Level: 4 Year Degree.

National Equity Fund, Inc. (NEF), a leading non‑profit syndicator of low‑income housing tax credits (LIHTC), is seeking an Asset Manager to conduct a wide array of new business initiatives. The LIHTC program is the most important resource available today for creating affordable housing in the United States. NEF uses its extensive experience, talent, and resources to create sustainable affordable housing.

The Asset Manager will be a member of a Transaction and Asset Operations Team (“Team”) and will be a high‑caliber relationship manager and problem solver. This person will be responsible for all property and asset management issues from the development of the investment proposal through the life of the lower‑tier partnership to ensure continuous delivery of tax credit benefits and projected passive losses.

Essential Duties

• Analyze the financial feasibility of investment proposals from the standpoint of property and asset management. Coordinate with other team members to review and analyze all transactional plans related to on‑time delivery of units and long‑term operating success. Work with the team throughout the acquisitions process to identify and mitigate risks in areas such as operating budgets, reserves, development timelines, etc.
• Establish and maintain relationships with General Partner’s staff so that mutual expectations are established and met. Communicate and interpret the management, documentation, and reporting obligations as specified in the partnership agreement.
• Manage construction, lease‑up schedule, cost certification, and 8609 executions to assure on‑time delivery of first‑year credits and intervene when appropriate. Manage disbursement of construction, developer fee, and reserve funding equity payments.
• During the compliance period, manage operations through statistical analysis and on‑site inspections for early identification of potential issues. Provide technical assistance in the area of project performance and related managerial reports to ensure continued receipt of reliable information, especially as it pertains to tax credit benefits and NEF’s ability to deliver and report those benefits to investors. Based upon the review of project data designate an appropriate risk rating, based on NEF’s criteria. If warranted, develop action plans to mitigate identified risks.
• Manage the assigned Asset Management Analyst (“Analysts”). Oversee their financial analyses, documentation, the input of data in SMT, and other work outputs. Mentor Analyst in identifying, interpreting, evaluating, and mitigating risks and issues.
• Continually assess project and partnership risk factors as they pertain to compliance with Section 42 (LIHTC) provisions, and partnership agreement conditions. Oversee compliance reviews and follow up to deficiencies or 8823 filings. Assure that insurance coverage is adequate and continuously in force, mortgages are not in default and there are no mechanic liens or other non‑permitted encumbrances. Perform project inspections, follow up on code violations or other health and safety conditions, and determine future capital needs and their financial impact.
• Along with fellow Team members, LISC, and other intermediaries, establish strong, productive working relationships with project sponsors, lenders, and municipal and allocating agencies. Cultivate relationships conducive to information sharing and problem‑solving. Provide exemplary customer service. Employ customer retention strategies to seek ways to extend NEF’s services beyond the current transaction.
• Undertake special projects as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree in real estate finance, economics, business, accounting, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong track record of asset management. Required skills and knowledge of multifamily real estate operations, including market analysis; property management; finance; marketing and leasing; budgeting; financial reporting; and compliance with financing covenants or regulatory agreements. Minimum 5 years’ responsible experience in asset management, property management, or real estate finance.
• Keen analytical skills. Proven ability to readily recognize, investigate, interpret and communicate warning signs of potential problems. Strong financial analysis knowledge and skills required. Based upon the analysis, proven problem‑solving abilities to devise intervention strategies.
• Demonstrated successful relationship building with colleagues and customers.
• Computer skills in word‑processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Experience with or technical knowledge of Section 42 is preferred.
• Self‑starter – Someone who exhibits the drive and resourcefulness to work with minimal direction and day‑to‑day support from the functional area. Show confidence in functional skills and an ability to apply those skills in a multi‑task cross‑functional team setting. Must have the confidence to “think and act on one’s feet”.
• Creative problem solver – Individual demonstrating an ability to quickly grasp the business issues of a situation and develop the best solution; to find creative ways to solve complex issues among demanding parties and to find “win/win” resolutions.
• Team‑oriented – Collaborative individual who is motivated by working effectively with others and forging consensus. An individual can work cooperatively towards the best solution. Understands and can commit to team goals over individual goals and accept responsibility and accountability.
• Leader – Someone who can influence others to his/her way of thinking; has self‑confidence and perseverance and can earn the confidence of others.
• Strong presentation skills – An outstanding communicator, both in writing and verbally. Someone who can deliver concise, logical written documents and who also demonstrates the presence to communicate effectively.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Relationship builder – Individual has strong relationship‑building and networking skills and is comfortable managing company and customer expectations.
• Diverse and adaptable – Comfortable in working in a fast‑paced, multi‑task environment within a cross‑functional team. Must be willing to tolerate ambiguity and risk.

We offer a competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

NEF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER