Associate, Underwriting

Bellwetheram 2; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision

Flexible Spending Account

401(k) company match 4%

Generous PTO

14 weeks maternity leave

Cell phone reimbursement

Job summary

Bellwether in El Segundo, California is seeking an Associate in Underwriting to support all stages of originating and structuring complex commercial real-estate investments. This role involves leading analyses, underwriting, and preparing diligence findings for investment decisions.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree, relevant experience of at least 3 years, and strong skills in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and ARGUS.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of property‑level and fund‑level metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis, underwriting and structuring of new investments.
• Participate in negotiations of term sheets and loan documents.
• Execute and oversee the closing process of transactions.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

ARGUS

Financial modeling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Bellwether is a global advisory firm focused on complex challenges and enterprise value. It provides growth strategies across the business lifecycle and manages over $40 billion of AUM in real‑estate assets worldwide.

Overview

The Associate, Underwriting supports all stages of originating and structuring complex commercial real‑estate investments, from early inquiry to term sheet finalization and closing. The role collaborates closely with the underwriting team through full due diligence and transaction execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis, underwriting and structuring of new investments
• Size and price investments with structural features
• Participate in negotiations of term sheets and loan documents
• Coordinate the due diligence process, including managing third‑party service providers such as appraisers, engineers, consultants, and reviewing their reports
• Identify potential risks and propose mitigation strategies
• Gather, analyze and interpret real‑estate market data/trends and financial information
• Prepare and present due diligence findings to the Investment Committee
• Conduct comprehensive site inspections, including comparable sales and rentals
• Execute and oversee the closing process of transactions
• Underwrite all asset classes using Excel‑based models—cash flow, DCF, IRR and fund/partnership waterfall modeling
• Build Excel models from scratch for ad‑hoc analysis
• Maintain and analyze budgets, preparing periodic reports comparing budget to actual
• Lead transition meetings between deal teams and asset management teams to onboard new assets or financing
• Maintain strong relationships with external auditors and internal partners

People Management Responsibilities

• Participate in staff selection, interviewing and training as needed
• Oversee day‑to‑day workload and performance of direct reports, providing clear direction and support to achieve objectives
• Ensure direct reports understand duties and delegated tasks
• Monitor performance and development, providing constructive feedback and coaching
• Set individual goals and deadlines, conduct regular performance reviews aligned with the performance review process
• Handle employee discipline in accordance with company policy

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Highly proficient in ARGUS
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Local and/or nationwide travel to assets and client sites required (approximately 1–2 times per quarter)

Job Knowledge & Technical Ability

• Experience with portfolio and asset‑level underwriting using advanced financial modeling
• Strong understanding of property‑level and fund‑level metrics to drive decision‑making
• Knowledge of macro‑trends that can impact investment decisions
• Strong review skills for Excel‑based models and written work products

Initiative & Dependability

• Ability to perform responsibilities independently and proactively, solving problems and improving processes or services
• Self‑directed, takes initiative and responsibility, ensures task completion

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong listening and interpersonal skills
• Highly effective at preparing and presenting information internally and externally to clients

Professionalism & Teamwork

• Acts with honesty and integrity, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to company policies
• Promotes a collaborative and productive work environment; demonstrates team building, support and respect

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The position requires standing, sitting, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and operating office machines. It requires verbal communication, critical thinking, time management, and administrative skills. The work environment is an indoor business office with moderate noise and light traffic. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Benefits

• Employer‑paid Medical, Dental & Vision (buy‑up options available)
• Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account
• Carrot Fertility Benefit – $10,000 lifetime benefit
• 401(k) 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

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.

Intent of Position Description

This position description describes the general nature and level of work required for the position. It is not intended to be an all‑inclusive list of qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities or working conditions. 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 changes the at‑will employment relationship between the Company and the employee.