Originator, Private Debt

Heitman LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Heitman LLC in Chicago seeks an Originator to join our Private Debt Investment team, focusing on sourcing real estate transactions via preferred equity and bridge debt. You will represent the firm in the Southeast and work on development and existing assets, closing multiple transactions annually for institutional funds and separate accounts.

This role requires extensive investment experience, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and the ability to lead and mentor junior professionals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of investment experience; VP/SVP level preferred.
• Experience in private debt origination, equity investing or mezzanine.
• Strong analytical skills and financial modeling knowledge.
• Extensive real estate investment experience across asset classes.
• Strong network in investment channels.
• Bachelor’s in Finance, Real Estate, Economics or related field.
• Excellent negotiation and business development skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with risk awareness.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity and mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Establish operator, developer and broker relationships.
• Evaluate opportunities and assess risk/return.
• Conduct valuation analyses and present to investment committee.
• Coordinate with research, asset management, DD to gain consensus.
• Present opportunities to senior lenders for leverage.
• Coach and manage junior investment professionals.

Skills

Investment experience

VP/SVP level

Financial modeling

Asset valuation

Real estate

Negotiation

Communication skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics

Job description

Heitman is seeking an Originator to join our Private Debt Investment team. This role focuses on sourcing high-quality real estate transactions via preferred equity and bridge debt structures. You'll become the point person representing the firm in the Southeast with the opportunity to work on both development and existing assets. Your responsibilities would include closing multiple transactions each year on behalf of institutional co-mingled funds and separate accounts.

R esponsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Establishing and maintaining operator, developer and broker relationships.
• Evaluating investment opportunities, assessing risks, and identifying ways to optimize risk and return via market selection, asset selection, business plan evaluation, and capital structure.
• Conducting valuation analyses, negotiating terms, performing due diligence, and preparing materials for presentation to investment committee.
• Coordinate with relevant internal groups including research, asset management, due diligence and others to gain consensus on investment opportunities.
• Present opportunities to senior lenders to secure necessary leverage to achieve targeted returns.
• Coaching and managing junior investment professionals.

Qualifications :

• Minimum 8 years of investment experience, with a preference for candidates at VP and SVP levels. Years of experience for these levels can vary. Experience in the Southeast is a bonus, but not necessary.
• Proven experience as an Investment Officer in originations or acquisitions, with a background in private debt origination, equity acquisitions, joint venture equity investing, or non-recourse senior debt.
• Strong analytical skills across the investment risk spectrum, with a solid understanding of financial modeling and valuation of value-add assets is required.
• Experience in various sectors including alternatives is a bonus, but not necessary. Willingness to learn new product types and leverage the firm’s existing resources is key as this role is focused on all asset classes.
• Familiarity with legal documents including joint venture agreements, mezzanine loan documents and senior loan documents.
• Extensive network of contacts and relationships in various investment channels, with a strong reputation in the investment community.
• Strong academic background; Bachelor’s Degree in Finance , Real Estate, Economics, or a related field.
• Excellent negotiation and business development skills.
• Strong financial acumen, including knowledge of senior financing, mezzanine, and preferred equity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to take smart risks.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Team player with sound investment judgment and high motivation.
• High level of flexibility and professional maturity.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to lead through complex situations.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.

Job Location and Travel

• This position is based in our Chicago office.
• Our teams work in a hybrid environment and in-office days vary by team.
• Moderate to extensive travel required.

We are looking for great candidates who have a unique combination of experiences, traits, and talents. We couldn’t describe you in a list of bullet points, so consider this posting a conversation starter. If you check some, but not all, of our boxes, we still want to talk!

Founded in 1966, Heitman is a global real estate investment management firm. Our mission is to lead the evolution of real estate through investments that fulfill the needs of people and communities in a world of constant change. To learn more about our organization and culture, click here .

At Heitman, we believe that our success is driven by the success of our team members . That's why we use market data to ensure competitive compensation for every role, reflecting our commitment to investing in our team. When we grow, you grow !

The expected annual base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $250,000 and will be further discussed during the interview process. This range represents what Heitman reasonably and in good faith believe s we would pay a qualified candidate for this role at the time of posting (based on a full-time equivalent schedule). Your actual base salary placement will depend on factors such as (but not limited to): your relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition , all of our team members are bonus eligible and participate in a generous annual bonus plan , with the percentage varying based on your role and level, ensuring that your contributions are recognized and rewarded.

In alignment with our P eople F irst core value , we offer rewarding careers that focus on both personal and professional growth. We are dedicated to helping you and your family thrive, both in the office and at home. To support this, we provide competitive compensation and a leading-edge, human-centric benefits package. Click here to view the details of our benefits.

Additional Information

Candidates applying for roles requiring travel must hold a valid, non-expired driver’s license.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Heitman is an equal employment opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical, medical or mental disability or condition (including, without limitation, HIV and AIDS), developmental disability, handicap, denial of family and medical care leave, denial of pregnancy leave, domestic partner status, status as a victim of sexual or domestic violence (or familial relationship to such victim), veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, arrest records, citizenship status, criminal history that has been expunged, unfavorable discharge from the military, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.