Vice President, Debt Originations

Job Description

Lightstone Capital (“LSC”), launched in 2018, is an alternative commercial real estate lender primarily focused on direct origination of first mortgage bridge loans on transitional commercial real estate assets inclusive of all real estate sectors and domestic U.S. geographies. LSC provides sponsors with flexible, creative, and immediate financing solutions and is a fully integrated lender managing the origination, underwriting/execution, asset management, and loan servicing processes in house with over $1.3BN in transaction volume since inception.  LSC’s corporate headquarters is located in NYC with satellite offices in Los Angeles. LSC specializes in providing first lien senior bridge loans secured predominately by transitional and near stabilized real estate assets.

Target loans range in size from $10M up to $150M+ across all asset classes and U.S. geographies.

With the ability to close as quickly as 5 business days from term sheet execution, the platform offers interest-only loans, non-recourse options, and prepayment flexibility, and can accommodate future funding requirements.

ROLE:  VICE PRESIDENT, DEBT ORIGINATIONS

This role will be helping to lead origination efforts on a national level with a focus on top primary markets throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions. The position can be based in the NYC headquarters but we are also open to other satellite locations for the best candidate, with preferences in Florida, North Carolina, Washington DC, Boston, or Chicago.

The position will report to the Senior Managing Director and Head of LSC.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for sourcing, originating, underwriting, and structuring commercial real estate senior bridge loans in the $10MM - $150MM range as well as select mezzanine and preferred equity positions in the $10MM - $25MM range.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with sponsors / borrowers, brokers, banks, developers and investors, and other sources of third-party commercial mortgage loan origination opportunities.
• Negotiate, structure, and close complex commercial real estate debt investments in relevant markets.
• Utilize credit skills to identify strengths and weaknesses of a transaction, while creating structural features to mitigate risk.
• Work with the underwriting team to prepare credit presentations for investment committee.
• Thoughtfully evaluate risk/return across the commercial real estate capital structure.
• Monitor micro/macro commercial real estate market conditions, attend commercial real estate related conferences, visit markets covered, and further develop all direct distribution channels.
• Effectively work with team members to meet platform targets.
• Utilize the full resource of Lightstone Group to assist in originations, underwriting, and risk mitigation.
• Assist capital market transactions as needed.

KEY ATTRIBUTES/EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of five to ten years of relevant real estate finance experience in all property types, and complex financing structures from senior debt through mezzanine and preferred equity.
• Proven track record originating, underwriting, and structuring senior bridge loans on core asset types (multifamily, industrial, mixed-use, etc.) within primary markets throughout the United States.
• Successfully developed relationships with both institutional and non-institutional owners/borrowers of commercial real estate.
• Strong relationships with commercial and investment banks, real estate brokers, real estate owners, developers, and investors and finance companies.
• Ability to identify, structure, and mitigate key risks in real estate debt transactions.
• Superior negotiation skills to created well-structured deals while building and maintaining commercial real estate relationships.
• Strong credit, structuring, and underwriting experience in commercial real estate.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the motivation to play a critical role in the growth of a platform, within an established organization. Collaborative approach to building a business.
• Self-starter who is able to effectively prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker coupled with the ability to dive into the details.
• Well-organized; strong independent work ethic with an excellent attention to detail.
• Effective written and oral communication skills with a direct and open communication style.
• Ability to contribute to a positive, supportive Lightstone Group/Lightstone Capital culture.
• Travel required, as appropriate (including NYC if based elsewhere).
• Appropriate educational credentials.